Are Galactic Empires possible?

Is it truly possible for an empire to span an entire galaxy and still be stable/ manageable? For example, in Star Wars, Emperor Palpatine rules an entire galaxy. Obviously this is fiction, but I'm just using it as an example to give you guys an idea. Imagine that there were numerous other life-bearing planets in the Milky Way. Do you think all of these planets could form a stable empire? If not an empire, how about a republic or any other form of government? I personally don't think it's possible. It would simply be too difficult for one goverment to manage such a large area and so many citizens. Your thoughts?

I propose a Federation of Planets.

I propose a Federation of Planets.

Pirate700

How about an Earth-wide empire? Possible?

How about an Earth-wide empire? Possible?

King-Kai

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

I propose a Federation of Planets.

Fightingfan

nope, everything is too far from where everything is

[QUOTE="King-Kai"]

How about an Earth-wide empire? Possible?

themajormayor

But an empire has to be centralized. An empire is ruled by one individual, an emperor/ empress.

lolno.

[QUOTE="themajormayor"][QUOTE="King-Kai"]

How about an Earth-wide empire? Possible?

King-Kai

But an empire has to be centralized. An empire is ruled by one individual, an emperor/ empress.

It is possiable as long as the communication is fast enough. I think an empire/kingdom would be better for a galatic empire because the government could be more streamlined and fast acting then a republic probably would be. I see republics having trouble forming any kind of galatic empire, but I guess it is still possiable,

Also in the star wars universe Palpatine didn't control the whole galaxy, the Hutts controlled a rather large section of the galaxy then there was the outer rim which no one really controlled fully, if I remember correctly there where a few different factions that controled parts of the outer rim but never the whole outer rim.

It is possiable as long as the communication is fast enough. I think an empire/kingdom would be better for a galatic empire because the government could be more streamlined and fast acting then a republic probably would be. I see republics having trouble forming any kind of galatic empire, but I guess it is still possiable,

Also in the star wars universe Palpatine didn't control the whole galaxy, the Hutts controlled a rather large section of the galaxy then there was the outer rim which no one really controlled fully, if I remember correctly there where a few different factions that controled parts of the outer rim but never the whole outer rim.

Shadow_Fighter

You know, now that I think about it, why exactly did Palpatine want to become emperor? I mean, what's the point of having that much power? I don't see why he wasn't satisfied with being the chancellor.

[QUOTE="themajormayor"][QUOTE="King-Kai"]

How about an Earth-wide empire? Possible?

King-Kai

But an empire has to be centralized. An empire is ruled by one individual, an emperor/ empress.

The Palpster approves...

If you go with the star wars universe answer it is because he is a Sith and Sith are always trying to gain more power, and becoming emperior gave him the most power he could get. Also it made it easier to elminate the Jedi.

[QUOTE="Shadow_Fighter"]

It is possiable as long as the communication is fast enough. I think an empire/kingdom would be better for a galatic empire because the government could be more streamlined and fast acting then a republic probably would be. I see republics having trouble forming any kind of galatic empire, but I guess it is still possiable,

Also in the star wars universe Palpatine didn't control the whole galaxy, the Hutts controlled a rather large section of the galaxy then there was the outer rim which no one really controlled fully, if I remember correctly there where a few different factions that controled parts of the outer rim but never the whole outer rim.

King-Kai

You know, now that I think about it, why exactly did Palpatine want to become emperor? I mean, what's the point of having that much power? I don't see why he wasn't satisfied with being the chancellor.

Have faith in the God Emperor and anything is possible.Vangaurdius

Yes but to be honest I don't think humans would run the galaxy, it would be similar to mass effect I would think not to mention we are war Race, we kill each other all the time for no reason or for reasons that we think are good (killing someone to defend your country or your self is a good reason), now would you really want us running a galaxy if that ever happened I would be in the first ship out of the galaxy. but don't forget you will always have resistance, like star wars and the empire VS the rebels you will always have and opposite saying they would run the galaxy better. King_TigerMK3

I lol'ed. Where would you go? To Andromeda?

[QUOTE="Shadow_Fighter"]

It is possiable as long as the communication is fast enough. I think an empire/kingdom would be better for a galatic empire because the government could be more streamlined and fast acting then a republic probably would be. I see republics having trouble forming any kind of galatic empire, but I guess it is still possiable,

Also in the star wars universe Palpatine didn't control the whole galaxy, the Hutts controlled a rather large section of the galaxy then there was the outer rim which no one really controlled fully, if I remember correctly there where a few different factions that controled parts of the outer rim but never the whole outer rim.

King-Kai

You know, now that I think about it, why exactly did Palpatine want to become emperor? I mean, what's the point of having that much power? I don't see why he wasn't satisfied with being the chancellor.

Because power is an intoxicant. The more you have the more you want. Very few people can handle power and not seek more.

I propose a Federation of Planets.

Pirate700

I propose a Planet of Federations. :cool:

I hope so.metroidprime55

Why? Do you want a galactic empire?

What would make it an Empire, though? You could have each planet linked by faster-than-light travel and trade, instantaneous communication, etc. By necessity, however, each would be nearly autonomous, responsible for its own local economy, defense and government. It would make more sense to create a confederation of sorts.

[QUOTE="Vangaurdius"]Have faith in the God Emperor and anything is possible.Tylendal

Not for a very long time. That said, it's not impossible as anything can be possible. It just takes time.

[QUOTE="King_TigerMK3"]Yes but to be honest I don't think humans would run the galaxy, it would be similar to mass effect I would think not to mention we are war Race, we kill each other all the time for no reason or for reasons that we think are good (killing someone to defend your country or your self is a good reason), now would you really want us running a galaxy if that ever happened I would be in the first ship out of the galaxy. but don't forget you will always have resistance, like star wars and the empire VS the rebels you will always have and opposite saying they would run the galaxy better. King-Kai

I lol'ed. Where would you go? To Andromeda?

[QUOTE="King-Kai"]

[QUOTE="King_TigerMK3"]Yes but to be honest I don't think humans would run the galaxy, it would be similar to mass effect I would think not to mention we are war Race, we kill each other all the time for no reason or for reasons that we think are good (killing someone to defend your country or your self is a good reason), now would you really want us running a galaxy if that ever happened I would be in the first ship out of the galaxy. but don't forget you will always have resistance, like star wars and the empire VS the rebels you will always have and opposite saying they would run the galaxy better. King_TigerMK3

I lol'ed. Where would you go? To Andromeda?

It depends how big your army or w/e is. If you don't have enough soldiers on one planet to surpress a revolt, then Id say you'rw going to eventually lose that planet.

Only if faster-than-light travel is possible. The Milky Way is 100 - 120 thousand light years across. If you were somewhere around the middle of it, that would be 50 - 60 thousand light years to some of the more outlying solar systems. Obviously it would be impossible to have any sort of empire if you only visited, or even communicated with, most of the solar systems once every 50,000 years or so.

as long as nobody goes into a global thermonuclear war mindlessly before we leave earth then yes.