WARS
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Robert C. Frederiksen

Florida State University

frederiksn@aol.com

 

 

           

Few motion pictures have had such a profound effect on modern culture as the Star Wars saga.  In creating Star Wars, George Lucas produced a modern mythology for the 21st century.  More people have seen the Star Wars trilogy than any other film series.  The Star Wars saga has grossed more than one billion dollars and has been released in more than a dozen countries.  From books, to movies, to merchandise, to toys and computer games, and collector’s items, the Star Wars phenomenon has permeated every part of our modern culture.  So it is of little surprise a theory of crime would be developed from the Star Wars universe.

               The Force Theory of Crime is based on the concept of the “Force” described in the Star Wars saga.  The Force is an invisible energy field, which flows from all things.  It binds all things together in a great web of existence.  According to Obi-Wan Kenobi the Force, “Is an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us.  It binds the galaxy together” (Star Wars: A New Hope, 1977).  The Force is everywhere and resides in all things.  As Yoda indicates to Luke in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) the Force is “between you...me...the tree...the rock...everywhere! Yes, even between this land and that ship!”  
                The Force is accessible to all living beings through the presence of midi-chlorians.  Midi-chlorians are microscopic life forms that reside within all living cells. “We are symbionts with the midi-chlorians, life forms living together for mutual advantage. Without the midi-chlorians, life could not exist, and we would have no knowledge of the Force”  (Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace, 1999).  These midi-chlorians speak to living beings, telling them the will of the Force.  The more midi-chlorians present in a being the more aware of the Force that being is. 

            The Force has two sides, a light side and a dark side.  The light side of the Force is composed of positive energy and represents everything good in the universe.  The dark side of the force is composed of negative energy and represents everything evil in the universe.  This dichotomous view of the universe is similar to the Toaist notion of Yin and Yang.  A circle divided in two, it represents the unity of apparent opposites. The Yin represents the dark, death, winter and female side of the universe, while the Yang symbolizes the light, life, summer and male side of the universe (http://exn.ca/starwars/home.cfm).  Like the Yin and Yang, the light and dark side of the Force exist together as opposites.  One cannot exist without the other.  

FORCE THEORY OF HUMAN NATURE
               The Force theory views human nature as conflict between good and evil.  This conflict between the light side of the Force and the dark side of the Force is constant.  However, humans are born into the world essentially good.  At birth they start life with a “clean slate.”  Some are born with more of an affinity for the Force than others, but initially we all start on light side of the Force. It seems like the biological offspring of Jedi have more of the Force? In some extreme cases one may be born into the dark side of the Force, but this is extremely rare.
               The Force theory supposes free will.  The Force does not predestine our fate.  Humans make choices of their own free will.  In this way, the Force theory is similar to the Classical perspective.  The Classical perspective viewed human nature as free and rationally calculating (Pfohl, 1994: 63).  Like the Classical perspective, the Force theory believes humans have the freedom to choose between good and evil.  But, unlike the Classical perspective, the Force theory sees deviance evolving from the dark side of the Force.
               The idea that deviance evolves from the dark side of the Force resembles the Demonic perspective of deviance.  In both the Demonic perspective and the Force theory deviance is equated with evil.  When we succumb to the influence of evil forces we are drawn into deviant behavior (Pfohl, 1994: 22).  In addition, in both perspectives, our actions may have “cosmic consequences” beyond our intentions.  These “cosmic consequences” may have a profound effect on the universe.  This interconnectedness is what binds the universe together. 
                A major difference between the two theories is their differing views of God. The Force theory is panentheistic, which asserts that God is in all things (Pollack, 1983).  The Demonic perspective is monotheistic, which assumes one God who created the universe.  In addition, the Demonic perspective has a more deterministic view of deviance.  It maintains that deviance may be caused by demonic possession.  Once possessed, a person is no longer responsible for their actions and can no longer choose between good and evil (Pfohl, 1994: 23).  In contrast, the Force theory does not believe in demonic possession, it maintains that humans may resist the temptations of evil.
                
EXPLANATION OF CRIME
               Deviance then arises from the dark side of the Force.  The more one gives into the feelings of hate, anger, fear, greed, and aggression, the more one becomes a slave to the dark side. “Anger...fear...aggression. The dark side of the Force are they,” Yoda warns young Luke Skywalker (The Empire Strikes Back, 1980). The dark side is a downward spiral from which there is little escape.  As master Yoda says, “If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny” (The Empire Strikes Back, 1980).  If we follow the path of righteousness we will stay on the light side of the Force.  But, if we choose to the unrighteous path we descend into the dark side of the Force.  One may start on the path of the light side of the Force only to slip down the path to the dark side. This is what happened to Anakin Skywalker who was seduced by the dark side and later became Darth Vader.
               It is the seductive nature of the dark side, which makes it so appealing.  The dark side of the Force has an alluring quality, which makes crime and deviance attractive.  Crime has often been described as seductive.  Katz (1988: 4) states, “When they are committing crimes, people feel drawn and propelled to their criminality.”  This seductive compulsion to do crime emanates from the dark side.  The seductiveness of the dark side leads people to crime and deviance.  
               Part of the reason the dark side is so seductive is because it is an easier path to follow.  The path of righteousness is always more difficult to follow.  It requires discipline, restraint, patience, and control.  Deviance, like the dark side, requires none of these traits.  It embraces self-indulgence, excess, impatience and chaos.  The dark side leads to power quickly, but at high price.  “If you choose the quick and easy path, as Vader did, you will become an agent of evil,” Yoda warns Luke (The Empire Strikes Back, 1980).  
               But the Force theory allows for redemption.  This is an important theme throughout the Star Wars saga.  One may be rescued from the dark side through acts of compassion.  Darth Vader achieved such salvation when he saved Luke from the Emperor.  By saving his son from the Emperor, Darth Vader (Anikan Skywalker) returned to the light side of the Force.  When Anikan is dieing, Luke tells his father he must save him.  Anikan’s response, “You already have Luke.  You were right about me.  Tell your sister you were right” (The Return of the Jedi, 1983).
TYPES OF CRIME EXPLAINED BY THE FORCE THEORY
               The Force theory best explains crimes of power.  Crimes motivated by power include genocide, murder, torture, terror, intimidation, and oppression.  These crimes stem from the dark side.  The dark side is a quick path to power, but requires ruthlessness to achieve that power.  Greed of power can be a strong motivation for crime. 
               No other character in the Star Wars saga exemplifies the dark side or greed of power more than Emperor Palpatine.  The Emperor is motivated by power and will do anything to achieve it.  As a senator in the Old Republic, Palpatine betrayed his own planet when he made a deal with the greedy Trade Federation.  Many of his own people died in the process.  As Queen Amidalla said, “Our people are dieing senator!” (Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace, 1999).  Later he declared himself emperor and disbanded the galactic senate.  He ruthlessly hunted down and killed the Jedi, the guardians of the Old Republic.  He used fear, terror and intimidation to rule the galaxy and did so with an iron fist.  
               Perhaps the worst crime of all is genocide, the systematic annihilation of an entire race of people.  The Nazi attempt to exterminate the Jews is an example of genocide.  No other crime is more horrible than the methodical extermination of a total population of people.  The Force theory explains this evil in terms of power motivated by the dark side.  The Grand Moff Tarkin uses genocide when he destroys the planet Alderan with the Death Star.  He used genocide to strengthen the power of the empire.  “No star system will dare oppose the Emperor now,” Tarkin says to Princess Liea (Star Wars: A New Hope, 1977).  For the Grand Moff Tarkin millions of lives is a small price to pay for power.
               Whether motivated by power or revenge, murder is another crime explained by the Force theory.  Murder is a powerful tool of the dark side.  Followers of the dark side commit murder almost casually.  Darth Vader demonstrates his casual disregard for human life when he strangles Capt Antillis on board Princess Liea’s star ship.  He throws Antillis’ lifeless body aside as if it were a piece of trash.  Under Darth Vader’s direction, storm troopers slaughter helpless jawas and kill Luke Skywalker’s aunt and uncle.  Even his own men do not escape Vader’s rage, as Admiral Neda finds out after he looses the Millennium Falcon.  Vader uses the power of the dark side to choke the life out of Admiral Neda, setting an example for is other officers.  “Apology accepted, Admiral Neda,” states Vader (The Empire Strikes Back, 1980).  Thus murder is committed for power, revenge, intimidation or even for amusement. 
               Like murder, the dark side uses torture for power, revenge, intimidation, and amusement.  Torture instills fear in its victims and the general populace.  It is an effective tool to preserve order and power.  Darth Vader and the Emperor used torture to maintain control of the Empire.  During The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Darth Vader tortures Han Solo to instill fear into the alliance and perhaps for his own sadistic amusement.  After his torture Solo remarks to Princess Liea, “They didn’t even ask me any questions” (The Empire Strikes Back, 1980).  Likewise, the evil gangster Jabba the Hutt tortures helpless droids for his own amusement.  Taking pleasure from the suffering of others comes from the dark side.  
               Like greed of power, greed of money can be a powerful tool of the dark side.  Greed of money can motivate people to do terrible things.  They will lie, steal, cheat and even kill.  Jabba the Hutt is the epitome of greed.  All of his actions are motivated by love of money.  When Han Solo fails to pay a debt on time Jabba puts a price on his head.  Jabba employs the bounty hunter Boba Fett to find Solo.  Fett does what ever is necessary to collect on Solo, including trying to kill Luke Skywalker.  For Jabba and Boba Fett greed of money is their ultimate motivation.
 
CRIMES NOT EXPLAINED BY THE FORCE THEORY
               The force theory has a hard time explaining crimes of passion.  Crimes of passion are crimes, which are committed in the heat of the moment by otherwise “good” people.  Katz (1988) describes these crimes as “righteous slaughter.”  Righteous slaughter is those crimes committed in the defense of Good.  The Force theory assumes crime is a result of the dark side (evil).  It does not account for crimes conducted in the defense of the Good.  
               This contradiction is illustrated when Han Solo kills Greedo in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977).  Greedo comes to collect the money Solo owes Jabba.  Solo tells him he does not have the money.  When Greedo threatens to turn him over to Jabba’ Solo shoots Greedo under the table in the Mos Eisley cantina.  Solo gets up from the table pays the bartender and says, “Sorry for the mess.”  Interestingly, this seen was changed in the 1997 Special Edition version of Star Wars: A New Hope.  In the Special Edition version, Solo kills Greedo only after Greedo shoots at him first.  According to the Force theory Han Solos action in the original version of Star Wars: A New Hope would be motivated by the dark side.  
Another example of killing in the defense of the Good the Force theory does not explain is Princess Liea’s killing of Jabba the Hutt.  In Return of the Jedi (1983) Princess Liea strangles Jabba the Hutt with a chain that bounds her to him.  In trying to escape from Jabba’s sail barge Princess Liea does not hesitate to kill Jabba.  Although he held her against her will, Jabba did not threaten Princess Liea’s life at the time of her escape.  She could have escaped without killing him.  Even if Jabba tried to prevent her escape she could have incapacitated him rather than kill him.  Once again, in the view of the Force theory, Princess Liea’s actions were motivated by the dark side.
               The Force theory also has a hard time explaining fraud and lies told in defense of the Good.  The Force theory emphasizes truth and wisdom, but in several cases the Jedi use mind control to trick or mislead.  This apparent contradiction is illustrated when Obi-Wan Kenobi uses mind control to deceive a group of storm troopers in Mos Eisley spaceport.  “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for,” Obi-Wan tells the storm troopers with a wave of his hand (Star Wars: A New Hope, 1977).  Likewise, Qui-Gon Jinn uses the Force to manipulate the dice in a game of chance.  In addition, Qui-Gon attempts to use mind control on Wato in order to get a new part for his ship.  While, these transgressions may seem trivial they do point to an apparent flaw in the Force theory.  If lying or “manipulating the truth” can be used be justified by the light side of the Force why not stealing.  
               In fact, the Force theory has a hard time explaining shoplifting and petty theft.  If deviance and crime stem from the dark side and the dark side is equated with evil; then those who shoplift and commit petty theft must be evil as well.  In Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace (1999), Jar-Jar Binks tries to steal some food from a street vendor.  When he is challenged by the vendor he promptly spits the food out.  While, Jar-Jar may have not intended to steal the food, according to the Force theory his actions would have been motivated by the dark side.  Likewise, Han Solo is a smuggler by trade.  Smuggling is the transportation of illegal goods.  The Force theory views smuggling as motivated by greed stemming from the dark side.  The major deficiency of the Force theory is its failure to explain crime committed by “good” people.  
 
PROGRAMS TO PREVENT CRIME
               In the Force theory the first way to prevent crime is in the home.  Parental upbringing has a profound effect on whether we gravitate toward the light or dark side of the Force.  The actions of our parents influence our behavior.  Those raised in a loving household where the virtues of goodness are practiced will follow the light side of the Force.  Those raised in home filled hatred, anger, fear, and chaos are more likely follow the dark side of the Force.  Children follow the example set by their parents.  They learn from the deeds of their parents and incorporate them into their behaviors.  In this way, the Force theory is similar to Learning perspective.  The Learning perspective views deviance as arising from ways in which people learn through interacting with others (Pfohl, 1994: 298).  
               The second way to prevent crime is through education.  Crime can be prevented training in the ways of the Force.  This training would occur at the elementary education level.  Children should be trained in the ways of the Force from an early age.  This training would emphasize meditation, self-discipline, self-control, respect for others, compassion, fairness, and understanding.  Children would be taught to resolve conflict without resorting to violence.  The style of this training would be similar to a Karate dojo. 
               Finally, crime can be prevented through a just and equal society.  All members of society must have equal rights.  Inequality leads to anger and resentment.  These feelings lead to the dark side, which leads to crime.  Governments must be just in their rule.  Corruption in government leads to bitterness and acrimony among citizens.  These feelings lead to the dark side resulting in further crime.  
 
 
TREATMENT AND PUNISHMENT PROGRAMS
               The Force theory focuses on treatment and prevention.  Punishment is used as a tool to bring offenders back into society.  Punishment is reserved for serious crimes such as murder, rape, and armed robbery. Offenders of less serious crimes (petty theft, shoplifting, simple assault) are referred to counseling programs designed to teach the error of their ways.  These programs emphasize the ways of the Force and are intended rehabilitate offenders.  Offenders are required to pay restitution to their victims.  If they cannot pay, they work for their victims to pay off their debts.  After they pay their debts and complete the counseling program, offenders are welcomed back into the community.
               For more serious crimes and repeat offenders, offenders are sent to re-indoctrination camps.  These camps are more disciplined and controlled.  The camps are similar to a military boot camp.  Offenders are required to work 12 hours a day doing manual labor or farming.  All proceeds go to their victims.  Four hours a day offenders are required to study the ways of the Force.  Prior to their release offenders must pass a test on the ways of the Force and go before a board and convince the board why they should be released.  Once released the offenders are put on probation for 12 months.  
                Incarceration is reserved for the most serious of crimes, murder, rape, armed robbery and aggravated assault.  Offenders are segregated from one another.  No contact between inmates is allowed.  Inmates are required to stay in their cells 23 hours a day.  They are allowed to go outside one hour a day.  In addition, inmates are required to undergo intense Force re-education.  The purpose of this re-education is not to “brain wash” the inmate but to bring them back to the light side of the Force.  After their sentence is served inmates are eligible for release. Prior to release they must go before a tribunal of Jedi and convince them why they should be released.  Capital punishment is not permitted under the Force theory.  If an inmate cannot be turned to the light side of the force then they will remain incarcerated for life.  Death is only justified in the most extreme cases when the lives of the innocent are threatened.  
 
 
ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, COURTS, AND CORRECTIONS
            The role of the law enforcement under the Force theory falls to the Jedi Knights.  The Jedi are responsible for maintaining peace and justice in society.  As Obi-Wan said, “For a thousand years the Jedi were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic” (Star Wars: A New Hope, 1977).  The Jedi are responsible for enforcing the laws and maintaining order in society.  They are the protectors of the innocent and preservers of the Republic.  The Jedi are of the highest moral caliber and skilled in the ways of the Force.  They are selected at an early age and trained in the ways of the Force.  They undergo years of intense training to serve as Jedi Knights and are highly regarded by all of society.  
   Under the Force theory the role of the courts also falls to the Jedi.  Only the wisest and most distinguished Jedi may serve in the judiciary.  They are well versed in the laws of the Republic and the ways of the Force.  Each court consists of a tribunal Jedi.  The tribunal decides criminal and civil cases brought before.  It ways the facts of each case, determines guilt or innocence and issues sentence if necessary.  A case may be appealed to the supreme Jedi council.  The council consists of nine Jedi masters.  The council has the final word on all civil and criminal cases.
            The purpose of the corrections system under the Force theory is to rehabilitate offenders.  Corrections personnel are highly trained in the ways of the Force and skilled communicators.  Their purpose is to counsel offenders in an attempt to guide them back to the light side of the Force.  Corrections personnel also operate re-indoctrination camps and prisons.  While they provide security for these facilities, their main task is to rehabilitate the offenders.  
 
RESEARCH MODELS
            In order to prove the Force theory of crime it would first be necessary to establish the existence of the Force.  Proving the existence (or non-existence) of the Force would not be an easy task, however, it would not be impossible.  Numerous studies have been conducted in field of physics on the “Unified Theory.”  The Unified Theory proposes that one “unified force” controls the universe.  Johnson’s General Force Theory unifies the forces of gravity and electromagnatism.  The General Force theory is a theory of angular momentum that unifies electromagnetism and gravity and derives the masses of the elementary particles.  It unifies Newton's gravitational force law, Coulomb's Law, Ohm's Law, and the magnetic force via a paradigm of classical rotational dynamics (http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~williebo/).  Indeed, science has long searched for a single theory that explains the universe.  In his article “Solutions to the General Grand Unification Problem," Robert A. Herrmann (2000) predicts, “that within the nonstandard physical world there exists a force-like (logical) operator and an entity that sequentially generates each of the Natural systems that comprise a Universe.  This yields a general grand unification for the behavior of all Natural systems within any such Universe - A Theory of Everything.”   While the unified theory has yet to be proven, the possibility that a force-like power does exist remains plausible.  
            Assuming the Force does exist, it would be necessary to determine if in fact the Force affects crime.  To do this, a way of measuring the Force would have to be developed.  If the Force is indeed an energy field that binds the universe together, it might be possible to measure this energy field.  Scientists have developed instruments to measure both electromagnetic energy and gravity.  These instruments could be modified to measure the Force.  It would also be necessary to determine if positive (light) and negative (dark) Force energy exists.  Then scientists could develop a measuring scheme.  Once an effective measure of the Force is developed it would be possible to determine if the Force does in fact affect crime.  
            A study to determine if the Force affects crime could then be developed.  This study would measure the amount of negative or positive Force energy present in human subjects.  The study would compare the amount of Force energy present in an experimental group of recidivists with a control group of non-offenders.  If the Force theory is correct the experimental group (recidivists) should have a higher amount of negative (dark) Force energy.  This would indicate an association between the dark side of the Force and crime.  
Further studies could be conducted comparing the amount of dark Force energy present in various types of offenders.  The Force energy of serial murderers could be compared to that of serial rapists or “professional burglars”.  If the Force theory were correct, offenders of more serious crimes would have a higher amount of negative Force energy.  This would indicate a positive relationship between the dark side of the Force and crime.  
While the Force theory of crime is based on a series of science fiction films, the theory of the Force is based on science fact.  The idea that a force-like power binds the universe together is not that far fetched.  The possibility that such a force exists in the universe, as both negative and positive energy, raises interesting prospects for science and criminology.  Perhaps someday, scientists and criminologists will discover the presence of dark Force energy in violent offenders and develop ways to bring these offenders back to the light side of the Force.
 

REFERENCES
            Herrmann, R. (2000). Solutions to the General Grand Unification Problem. Retrieved December 2, 2000 from the World Wide Web: http://www.serve.com/herrmann/solution.htm
 
Johnson, W. (2000). A General Force Theory. Retrieved December 2, 2000 from the World Wide Web: http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~williebo/
 
Lucas, G. (1977). Star Wars: A New Hope [Film]. Lucasfilm Ltd., 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation.
 
            Lucas, G. (1980). Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back [Film]. Lucasfilm Ltd., 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation.
 
            Lucas, G. (1983). Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi [Film]. Lucasfilm Ltd., 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation.
 
Lucas, G. (1999). Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace [Film]. Lucasfilm Ltd., 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation.
 
Katz, J. (1988). Seductions of Crime. New York: Basic Books.
 
Pfohl, S. (1994). Images of Deviance and Social Control. New York: McGraw-Hill.
 
Pollock, D. (1983). Skywalking: The Life and Films of George Lucas. New York: Harmony Books. 
 

The Tao of Star Wars. Retrieved December 1, 2000 from the World Wide Web: http://exn.ca/starwars/home.cfm

 

 

You need to include references to prior studies that would support your model.

 

Overall, this paper is excellent.