Public lecture “Balance in the Force”: Star Wars as a cultural critique of US manifest destiny

The Star Wars franchise is a global cultural giant: it earns immense sums at the box office, inspires countless products and offers rich material for political and social analogies of all kinds. But what does Star Wars itself say about world politics, and in particular about the foreign policy of the United States?

About the lecture: in this public lecture Professor Patrick Thaddeus Jackson explores how pop-cultural works such as Star Wars take part in a broad public dialogue about political action, rather than serving as mere entertaining diversions.

As a franchise born in the United States, Star Wars inevitably takes a position on the central myth of the United States: manifest destiny, the notion that the United States is uniquely chosen for a global mission that it must, and should, pursue at almost any cost. Star Wars presents a counter-myth built on the idea of balance, with strong scepticism towards “chosen ones” of every kind.

About the speaker: Patrick Thaddeus Jackson is Professor of International Studies at the School of International Service of American University in Washington, D.C. His research focuses on the theory of international relations, the philosophy of social science, and the role of culture and ideas in global politics. Drawing on an interdisciplinary approach, he examines how popular culture can challenge dominant political narratives and offer alternative perspectives on US foreign policy.

The discussion after the lecture is moderated by Toni Čerkez, lecturer in international relations at the School of Governance, Law and Society of Tallinn University.

Time and place: 2 December 2026, 16:00–17:30, Tallinn University, room M-134, Uus-Sadama 5, Tallinn.

Admission is free, and everyone is welcome!