PT The Trade Federation as a villain in the PT

Not nearly as much as the Galactic Empire, but I love the idea of the Trade Federation. A lot of people hate Episode I for being about "trade" and "disputes" and such, but if you think about it the concept of the Trade Federation makes a lot of sense. The Empire represents the evils of fascism and totalitarianism, while the TF embodies the evils of capitalism and greed.

Why does the TF employ only droids? Well odds are that at some point the Nemoidians made up the work force (or employed other aliens), and over time replaced them with droids since they require no pay. The Nemoidians are shown to be excessively greedy and out for themselves. Why all the battle droids and tanks? Because the TF wants to do business with anyone on their own terms, and its easy to strong-arm people with your own military. Plus the TF probably owns the companies that make the AATs, MTTs, and ships which would further lower the cost, and the Republic during this time has disarmed itself since the Sith are no longer a threat. Thus, as long as the TF maintains a military large enough to compete with the planets it deals with (such as Naboo, which is also very pacifist) the TF can do whatever it wants.

also comment here: http://boards.theforce.net/threads/...-despicable-neimodians-or-the-hutts.50032931/

 

I love the Trade Federation. I love, as you say, they embody the other extreme evil of the universe. Give anyone too much power and they will abuse it to try and gain more power. In a nebulous sense, the Trade Federation is no different than the Moffs or any other power hungry villain, but its interesting to see a villain that isn't representative of some fascist power.

 

I think the TF represents when capitalism fails more than the evil of it. However I like them as villans, a space East Indie Trading company, such a neat idea. The trade taxes are the Republic's attempt to curb the power of mega corporations like the TF. Just the existence of the TF is a major failing of the Republic.

 

I like the concept of the TF. Its a spin on a common theme in sci fi where transnational corporations grow so big they begin to hold more sway than individual world governments. I'd have liked to have seen more development and details on who they were and how they retain their control.

New to the boards - been lurking a while.

 

The Trade Federation reminds me of the East India Company, which helped Great Britain take control of most of the India subcontinent. The East India Company also played a part in the opium trade in the Far East and the First and Second Opium Wars.

 

The ANH novelization dropped hints about greed, and the "organs of commerce" being involved in the rise of the Empire:


Another galaxy, another time.
The Old Republic was the Republic of legend, greater than distance or time. No need to note where it was or whence it came, only to know that ... it was the Republic.
Once, under the wise rule of the Senate and the protection of the Jedi Knights, the Republic throve and grew. But as often happens when wealth and power pass beyond the admirable and attain the awesome, then appear those evil ones who have greed to match.
So it was with the Republic at its height. Like the greatest of trees, able to withstand any external attack, the Republic rotted from within though the danger was not visible from outside.
Aided and abetted by restless, power-hungry individuals within the government, and the massive organs of commerce, the ambitious Senator Palpatine caused himself to be elected President of the Republic. He promised to reunite the disaffected among the people and to restore the remembered glory of the Republic.
Once secure in office he declared himself Emperor, shutting himself away from the populace. Soon he was controlled by the very assistants and boot-lickers he had appointed to high office, and the cries of the people for justice did not reach his ears.

 

I don't really care much for the Trade Federation. They can be interesting when they're a bit more fleshed out though, as proved by TCW. I actually liked "Sphere of Influence."

Would've been cool to see more of a backstory like Barada Nikto said.

 

Welcome.

And what you said, it's happening, now...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transatlantic_Trade_and_Investment_Partnership

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices...-why-the-answer-should-scare-you-9779688.html

Our rights are being eroded as we speak.

What the Star Wars prequel trilogy depicts is very, very real.

 

You're right.

Heaven forbid a bunch of silly space movies should speak to our present condition in any way.

 

Message received.

 

I actually didn't mind the Trade Federation, whilst I can see the issues people have with them, I honestly thought they were decent lower level antagonists. I would have liked to have seen a bit more diversity from the TF and the Neimoidians in general, rather than having them all being one homogeneous unit with the same characteristics (not to mention the vaguely racist accents were a bit touch an go...), but other than that I thought they worked well as good pawns for Sidious, and hey, they have droideka, and droideka will always be badass in my eyes

 

Again with the perceived racism.
I don't understand it. At all. When I hear the Neimoidians speak, I hear a Neimoidian accent. That's it.

I think the TF works splendidly as a major antagonistic force. Trade disputes aren't terribly exciting by themselves, but that isn't really the main issue in TPM, either. The problem is that the TF decides to invade Naboo. That is the conflict. That is the reason Amidala decides to fight back. It's a simple matter of liberating the inhabitants of Naboo from oppression.
The trade dispute is just what's motivating the TF.

The way they're coaxed into offensive action by Sidious, who takes advantage of their greed, also foreshadows Anakin's fall from grace quite beautifully.

 

I don't personally perceive it as racist, but I can understand why others do. It's a sort of stereotypical Asian accent, and I can understand how many fans, especially those of Asian origin, could be a bit offended that their only major source of representation in the Star Wars universe was a stereotyped voice given to an dodgy organisation of snivelling cowards. But like I said, I don't think this was intentional in any way, and it doesn't really both me.

I agree with you Lulu_Mars I found the TF invasion angle of TPM to be a simple yet effective premise, and we have the TF to thank for that

 

Well the bad guys of the PT - Clone Wars was the Separatist and the TF were apart of the Separatist. In TPM there were only 2 visable villians to the story, Nute and Maul, both reported to Palpatine. In AOTC you had 3 villians, Zam, Jango and Dooku, only Dooku reported to Palpatine. Then in ROTS you have Dooku and Grevious then Vader, all 3 reporting to Palpatine. In fact the only villains not directly connected to Palpatine are the Fetts and Jabba. My question is who were all the Separatist?

 

I definitely liked the Trade Federation. They reflect the fact that the galaxy hasn't seen the evils of the Empire yet. The Trade Federation seems so big and powerful when they're really just pawns of a far greater evil.

I was thinking this too.

I wonder if Maul could have been given a stronger connection to the Trade Federation.

 

The Trade Federation (and the other "corporate entities") were really just tools for Palpatine. They were so narrowly focused on their own immediate goals (as corporate entities so often are), that they were easy for Palpatine to bend to is will, especially through Count Dooku's conniving leadership of the separatists.

 

The Trade Federation was very relatable in a different way. Through the value of money. Lucas had said in a couple of interviews before the PT came out that it was greed that caused the collapse of the Republic. He did an interview right before TPM was shown in theaters, that the PT will show the elements that will factor into the demise of the Republic.

 

One other reason that the Trade Federation works as villains is they give us a good glimpse into the state of the galaxy at their time. It shows how peaceful the galaxy is at the time if a mere corporation is able to cause such a conflict through the Galactic Senate.

 

Yes, you don't have to pay the droids to do the dirty work but you still have to amount the funds to create the droids. I do think they're cool though. I love the Trade Federation Episode 1.

They aren't a galactic threat, but they flexed their (droid) muscle when they occupied Naboo. And you're right, they do sum up what greed is about. The cowardly Nute Gunray basking in his wealth & glory while he deprives a planet of trade.

 

The Trade Federation are a cool sub enemy of the SW Saga. I wish we got to see more Nemodian soldiers but I love the fact, unlike awful PT rewrites, that the villains in Episode I are cartoon evil clones, or genocidal Mandalorians. Just a corrupt business empire trying to blockade a planet from the Republic. Shows a massive contrast compared to the Evil Empire vs The Heroic Rebellion. It's like you are actually swing the Golden Age of the Republic where issues weren't so clear cut and the galaxy ran on a fair system, not a tyrannical dictatorship.

 

I'm okay with the Trade Federation, the cowardly businessman angle is unique. My only problem with them is their not terribly interesting or threatening IMO.

 

I'm a capitalist so u'd think I'd love the TF then the Seps rite? WRONG! I'm a bigger patriot! I love the OR & the GE. One of my favorite scenes in the saga was Anikin slaughtering the Sep leaders!