What is Palpatine's/The Empire's motivation in taking over the galaxy?

In the 26 years that Star Wars has been around, this has never been properly addressed, at least not in the movies.

What is the motivation behind Palpatine's/The Empire's take-over of the galaxy? It's not money; Palpataine seems to have enough of that - I guess absolute power is the movitation, but why? Taking over the galaxy and subjugating people just because he's evil doesn't seem like it's enough of a reason. It's not retaliation/revenge against something that's been done to him in the past (at least not evidently).
Also, Palpatine has a lot of followers - what makes them follow him? Is he controlling them through the dark side?

 

Ask Ghengis Khan. Oh NM, he's dead, my bad.

Seriously, it hasn't been addressed. I suppose Palpatine may end up telling some story from the past, about how he was wronged by a Jedi, or even that he was once a padawan, but rejected. I wouldn't count on it though. Like Yoda's species, I think Palpatine's past; stories, family, etc., shall be kept secret.

 

For me the answer has always been contempt. Palps does not consider anyone, even Anakin to some degree, to be worth anything. Thus, he believes that he is the only one with enough intelligence and cunning to rule everyone, simply because he knows he and his ways are better. To him the people of the galaxy are children that must be controlled so their foolishness will not be a threat to his grand design and order. Anakin is the ultimate child and thus the perfect apprentice. It is no accident that both he and Luke are "whiny." Palps feeds on the childish instinct of individuals and the galaxy. He wants no maturity other than in his own mind and for all to rely on him ("He will come to me?" "I have foreseen it.")

The "picnic scene" (which is no picnic), reflects Palpatine's views clearly, if indirectly. Listen to Anakin: "they should be made to" by "someone wise." He says the "should" be made to, not it would be best for them to do it. Clearly, Palpatine is that someone wise.

As to why do people follow Palpatine, people on some level like order and submission. If they are controlled, they don't have to think and can proceed with their lives rather undisturbed as long as they don't interfere with the greater order and design. The Empire always seemed rather benign to me in that it appears to allow commerce and private lives to continue within the constraints of the Imperial system and its ultimate control. Violate that and the Empire will come after you. Otherwise you are free to go about your business. In addition, people also have a certain comfort in having someone or something to revere, in this case the kindly Emperor Palpatine.

 

"What is Palpatine's/The Empire's motivation in taking over the galaxy?"

Palpatine wants enough money through taxes and contracts to be able to construct a massive chocolate sized spaceship in the shape of the Death Star. And he doesn't want the hollow kind...

Seriously, I don't think we will know from Episode III why Palpatine wants to take over the galaxy. Perhaps he was once a Padawan rejected from the Jedi Order and seeks revenge? Like knowing Yoda's race, we might never find out.

 

Power, getting revenge on the jedi in the process.

 

Since when has simple lust for power been an insufficent reason?

 

Its classic Faust complex. He wants to be all powerfull. Wouldn't you want to rule a galaxy?

 

palpatine wanted complete power over everything and let the sith take control.

 

Candy bars.

 

When Palpatine got into the business of politics, he strived to build his own Empire, and he stuck to that hoping that one day he would run the galaxy.

 

1.Revenge.
2.Absolute Power.
3.All the women he wants.
4.Being the Richest guy in the Galaxy.
5.being the most powerfull Force User without having any rivals.
6.Slaves.
7.all of those cool superweapons that blow stuff up.

Just a few things but the list goes on and on.

 

There really aren't many job opportunities for Sith Lords anymore.

Palpatine just wanted to "be all that he could be!"

 

A protective undergarment that gives him the protection his Sith-deteriorated bladder needs, while being unnnoticable enough under his robes to give him the freedom he desires.

 

Well, look at the problems presented by the freedom that our democracy allows. Look at how much freedom the press is allowed. I am of the opinion that the press has abused this freedom by using sensationalism to sell its product, rather than simply reporting the facts. This has lead to misleading and false information about important subjects such as health and fitness, supplements, not to mention the war in Iraq. There are many times in my life in wich I wish I was King OF America. I could put to rest all of this nonsense. Im sure this is Palpatine's motivation.

 

Because it's cool to boss people around and blow up planets and stuff. Spiffy uniforms, too.

 

"...at last we will have revenge."

 

Power. Hatred. Revenge.

What greater reasons do you need?

*cackles*

 

Revenge against the Jedi. For reasons we have not yet seen.

 

"For reasons we have not yet seen."

At least, as far as the films are concerned.

 

If Anakin was supposed to be a Christ figure (as his "no father" birth and ultra strength in the Force implies), then Palpatine is the Anti-Christ -- a man conceived by the Dark Side of the Force itself, the living embodiment of pure evil. As Ian McDiarmid once said in an interview, "Even Satan was good once -- an archangel in the service of God. Palpatine was NEVER good, never knew or cared about morals."

His goal, quite simply, is to cause as much death, destruction, anguish and grief as (in)humanly possible. That he even had the Death Star in mind as early as AOTC indicates his genocidal tendencies. Had the Rebellion been crushed in ROTJ, he would no doubt have used the Death Star II on (eventually) every life-carrying planet in the galaxy. And with his nigh-endless supply of clone bodies (as EU shows) to stave off the Grim Reaper, he would have then cast his eyes on other galaxies....eventually wiping out the universe.

 

"Palpatine is the Anti-Christ."

I completely agree with you. Look at my user name. It's interesting that in Star Wars the Christ figure is in league with the Anti-Christ. Brilliant, and subtle, on the part of George Lucas.

Edit: spelling

 

Palpatine's motive was to first take over the Republic and sit at it's head for a number of years before it detoriated into a ruthless dictatorship. Second, was to destroy the Jedi for what they did to the Sith a thousand years beforehand, and lastly to bring the Sith Order back with no one to oppose the Sith.

He probably loved the Sith, and acted out of revenge. If he was to get back at the Jedi and do away with them, it was right for him to take a political high seat and do things his way.

 

"Power corrupts....absolute power corrupts absolutely!"

Its all about power!

 

I think Palpy's ultimate motive was to wipe out the Jedi. His coming into power just made it an easier task. It's like a slowly but surely thing.

 

I disagree. I think Palpatine's allegiance lies only with himself. The Sith (and the dark side) are only a means to an end for him, and that end is absolute rule over every living and non-living thing.


His apprentices are all pawns. The destruction of the Jedi was more about eliminating his only real threat than about vengeance for a bunch of old guys that were part of his Order thousands of years ealier. And the rules enforced by earlier Sith probably mean nothing to him, because he seemed willing to take on a second apprentice TESB.