The Ideology of the First Order
Lindsay Ellis・20 minutes read
At Disney World's Hollywood Studios, a march of stormtroopers led by Captain Phasma showcases the First Order's strength and obedience, sparking questions about the portrayal of fascism in Disney's marketing and its ties to historical fascist aesthetics. Despite lacking a clear ideology, the First Order's fluid and undefined nature, coupled with its fascist undertones and imagery drawn from real-world atrocities, suggests a connection to fascism through its portrayal of heroism and struggle.
Insights
- The March of the First Order at Disney World's Hollywood Studios serves as a recruitment event for children, raising concerns about the depiction of fascism in Disney's marketing strategies.
- Star Wars draws heavily from historical fascist influences, particularly the aesthetics of the Third Reich, showcasing a blend of World War II imagery, Nazi iconography, and Leni Riefenstahl's propaganda films in shaping the Empire and the First Order.
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Recent questions
What is the March of the First Order?
A march of stormtroopers led by Captain Phasma.
What influences the First Order in Star Wars?
World War II imagery and Nazi iconography.
What are the key characteristics of fascism?
Cult of tradition, fear of diversity, cult of heroism.
Does Kylo Ren embody fascist traits?
Yes.
How does the portrayal of fascism in Star Wars serve branding purposes?
Through immersive experiences and merchandising.
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Summary
00:00
Disney's First Order: Fascism in Marketing
- At Disney World's Hollywood Studios, a march of stormtroopers led by Captain Phasma occurs hourly down Hollywood Boulevard, showcasing the First Order's strength and obedience.
- The March of the First Order is framed as a recruitment seminar for kids, raising questions about the portrayal of fascism in Disney's marketing.
- The First Order in Star Wars is heavily influenced by history's fascists, particularly the aesthetics of the Third Reich.
- Star Wars draws inspiration from World War II imagery and space fantasy serials like Flash Gordon, with a clear influence of Nazi iconography.
- Leni Riefenstahl's propaganda films for the Nazis, like "Triumph of the Will," influenced the visual language of the Empire and the First Order.
- The Empire and the First Order lack a clear ideology in the original trilogy, with the Empire's power structure being the only known authority in the galaxy.
- The First Order in the new trilogy lacks a defined ideology, operating more as a rogue state rallying people with rhetoric and kidnapping children for indoctrination.
- The narrative of the First Order in the new trilogy incorporates real-world atrocities without fully exploring their implications or motivations.
- Umberto Eco's essay "Ur-Fascism" outlines key characteristics of fascism, such as a cult of tradition, fear of diversity, and a cult of heroism, which align with the First Order's portrayal.
- Despite the lack of a clear ideology, the First Order's fluid and undefined nature, coupled with its fascist undertones, suggests a connection to fascism, particularly through its portrayal of heroism and struggle.
13:47
Kylo Ren's Fascist Traits in Star Wars
- Kylo Ren embodies fascist traits but lacks a clear ideology, unlike real-world fascists.
- The First Order in Star Wars doesn't need to mirror real-world fascism to have its own fictional brand.
- The rise of fascist power structures relies on scapegoating and exploiting social problems.
- The political divide in the Star Wars universe mirrors historical political conflicts, with unclear ideologies.
- Kylo Ren's alignment with the First Order stems from personal disappointment rather than ideological seduction.
- The First Order's lack of a clear ideology may be intentional to focus on totalitarianism and power.
- The portrayal of fascism in Star Wars, while complex, is used for branding and merchandising purposes.
