#core world

Kuat was a temperate Core world, known across the galaxy as a premiere manufacturer of starships. Shipyards formed a ring around the world, and its surface was largely unspoiled due to industry operating in space. Most of the population lived in these orbital stations, while wealthier Kuati lived in lavish estates on the planet.

Source: The Essential Atlas (Art: Ian Fullwood; 2009)

First Appearance: “Slaying Dragons” - Star Wars Adventure Journal 9 (1996)

Well, before I get into this, I want to correct a misconception that Naboo is a Core World. It actually is a Mid Rim planet that is so far removed it is called "The Jewel of the Outer Rim." I talk some about how important that is here. Naboo is not considered by many to be civilized.

It is clear that the "Outer Rim Territories" are just that: Territories, without proper representation in the Republic, and without receiving full benefits. We see this implied in what Qui-Gon says to Shmi that if Anakin had been born in the Republic he would have been found early. And I don't think he just means that if Anakin had not been born on Tatooine specifically...simply being from the Outer Rim is often quite enough to be abandoned. And given Padme's comments about the Republic's anti-slavery laws, they ought to have a presence here, they just don't.

Also, where specism is concerned, Jar Jar becomes a junior representative in the Galactic Senate. This means he represented a minority group for his sector. Only Padme is allowed to vote though. Jar jar just represents. Padme likely listens to his input, but not every senator would. (Before her, did the Gungans even have representation?) The above likely plays out in many, many sectors where minorities have less input. Also, before joining the Senate, Jar Jar has to try and change how he spoke. He would be looked down on for his accent/dialect

In AotC, we see that there are planets separating from the Republic. We are never given much explanation in that movie as to why. However, other sources do demonstrate that the Outer Rim planets felt shafted while the Core Worlds benefited. In the Jedi Path, the Jedi outright say that the Inner Rim "mark the outermost limits of what most citizens consider civilizations." Clearly there is a lack of respect for the peoples towards the Outer Rim. And while the separatists were not exclusively Outer Rimmers, it’s no wonder many planets wanted to secede.

Some people said the Republic was too bloated. Maybe they hoped a smaller confederacy would mean getting to have more say. I bet that appealed to many minorities who we’ve already established we’re shafted even sometimes within their own sector.

And there are other issues that arise from all this: The Jedi go where the Senate sends them. Requests for help go through the Senate. This means that what happened is that the more influential and wealthy planets, who have more connections, tended to be disproportionately helped. I talk about this a bit here. In that post, I mention that Anakin has a vision of freeing slaves on Tatooine. This vision was interpreted as not being about freeing slaves on Tatooine, but about Anakin and Obi-Wan going to help Yaddle on a mission to Mawan. Anakin is rebuked for taking the vision literally, and while the vision was about going to Mawan, I think there is a deeper meaning to be found here. To quote myself:

A deliberate parallel is drawn in that vision between what is happening on Mawan, and what could happen on Tatooine. Both are planets taken over by Hutts, both have no way of enforcing justice, but only one is getting Senate help.

What was done on Mawan, could, and should have been done on Tatooine. Nevertheless, and unsurprisingly, no one bothers to suggest that the vision could have been talking about that as well. It would take too much effort. The cost-benefit analysis doesn’t add up. No one cares about people on a planet that cannot provide much obvious economic support, (outside of that dratted slave-trade), and which doesn’t catch the public eye, or stir controversial opinion. It’s just so much easier to ignore it. Why rock the boat?

Ultimately, Jar Jar really is an excellent example of these prejudices. So is what happens in TPM in general. Firstly, it demonstrates that there was some anti-nonhuman, speciesist sentiment, which we see expressed towards the Gungans. Additionally, the Nabooans struggle to be taken seriously by those who think that those Mid Rim/Outer Rim backwaters are uncivilized. Would the Trade Federation get away with what they try to do if they blocked trade from a Core World planet?

We see Qui-Gon snap at Jar Jar "the ability to speak does not make you intelligent." He never apologizes for this. Obi-Wan then says, "What's this" to which Qui-Gon replies "A local." and talks as if Jar Jar isn't there. However, annoying Jar Jar is, he is being polite; there's no call to treat him like this. Moreover, when Jar Jar is discovered to have information that can help them, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan bully him into helping instead of talking to him kindly.

Later on, we see Qui-Gon dismiss Padme when she says the Queen won't approve of what he is doing, and that Padme, apparently the Queen's representative, ought to trust his judgement. He is unbelievable dismissive. In doing so, he disrespects the ruler of a sovereign planet. Again, there's no call for him to be so arrogant/rude. There are better ways to handle the situation.

I also think we see something of an indictment of this behavior. The war on Naboo could not be won without Padme, who was summarily dismissed by so many, being willing to do what the Jedi didn't. She listens to Jar Jar and respects the Gungans. As a result, she gets an army. She treats Anakin kindly, even before he is shown to have the Force strongly with him. He helps her, and later blows up the Federation ship. These people who are ignored and dismissed are the ones who wind up saving the day, and even temporarily setting back Palpatine's plans.