like dedra outlining the problem with decentralised administration with the “do you think the rebels care about the lines we draw on maps?” line is great bc it demonstrates that the writers actually know what the administrative problems are with a massive neoliberal empire. It’s not just oh haha the government sure does everything slow doesn’t it, it actually explains how inefficiency is produced as a result of the state breaking itself into tiny little fiefdoms in an effort to save money. the show’s inciting incident is Cassian accidentally killing a private security guard that’s been hired by the empire to watch the less important parts of its territory. The empire took over a republic that was on the verge of collapsing in part because of these same exact problems. The empire is in a decline during this period and we are seeing its renewal of power by re-centralising itself and becoming even more dictatorial as a state