Diverging Paths: Sith and Jedi Coexistence in the Star Wars Universe

Can the darkest paragons of power and the guardians of peace learn to coexist? In the grand saga of the Star Wars universe, the Sith and Jedi have long been the archenemies.

The Sith's Approach: Ruling Through Dark Paths

Not all Sith lords advocate for constant conflict with the Jedi. While their mantra is typically to dominate, there have been instances where Sith lords like Darth Marr practiced a form of governance that didn't necessitate open warfare.

Darth Marr loved the challenge and respected the Jedi for their skills. Instead of engaging in the petty infighting and backstabbing characteristic of many Sith, he focused on strengthening the Sith empire as a whole. He even sided with the Jedi against Vitiate, maintaining his role as a Sith lord while accepting a Jedi approach: 'there is no death, only the Force.'

The Potential of Sith as Politicians

A sith could theoretically achieve power through political means, much like Palpatine. Using the Force is a powerful tool in the political arena, where corruption is ever-present. Even Sith lords have recognized the value of coexistence with the Jedi, and the Sith could have chosen to simply ignore the Jedi in favor of running the galactic government.

For an analogy, consider Palpatine's obsession with eliminating the Jedi. He was so driven that even older Sith lords were appalled by his methods. Palpatine could have ruled and ignored the Jedi entirely, allowing them to continue their work behind the scenes, out of sight and out of mind.

The Challenges of Coexistence

Despite the possibility of peaceful coexistence, the histories of both canon and Legends ensure that these two groups are fundamentally incompatible. Both the Sith and Jedi have had periods in which they were thought to have been wiped out, only to reemerge in new forms. After the 1000 years of peace before the rise of Darth Bane, the Jedi were thought extinct again in the decades following the Galactic Empire's formation.

From the covert operations of Bane and Darth Mal_tra_ to the occasional survival of individual Jedi, the history of the Force is one of resilience. The inevitable result of their coexistence is conflict, as their diametrically opposite philosophies govern not only how the Force should be used but how galactic society should operate.

Conclusion

The idea of Sith and Jedi coexisting challenges the very foundations of the Star Wars universe. While it is theoretically possible, the historical reality and the inherently opposing philosophies suggest that such coexistence would be fraught with conflict. Whether through political maneuvering or open warfare, the Sith and Jedi are destined to clash until one side can assert its dominance over the other.