Editing Galactic empire (section)

==Background==

Most of these galaxy-spanning domains depend on some form of transportation capable of quickly or instantly crossing vast cosmic distances, usually measured in [[light-year]]s, many times faster than familiar particles such as [[photon]]s traveling at [[light speed]]. These, instantaneous or [[faster-than-light]] (FTL) ([[tachyon]]ic) technologies invariably require some type of propulsion or displacement technology forbidden by [[Albert Einstein]]'s [[Theory of Relativity|theories on relativity]]. Described methods often rely on theories that circumvent or supersede relativity: for instance, the hypothesis of a [[warp drive]] (such as, more specifically, an [[Alcubierre drive]]) that bends the fabric of [[space-time]].

In many cases, the term "galactic empire" is misleading. First, the "galactic" in "galactic empire" suggests an organization encompassing far more [[star systems]] than is actually described. This may come about as a result of propaganda exaggerating the spread of an imperial entity in order to appear stronger than is actually the case — just as historical [[nation-states]] such as the '[[Holy Roman Empire]]' presented themselves; being roughly twice the size of modern Germany. While some of the noted fictional empires encompass a large portion of the galaxy, many other empires may be classified as interplanetary or interstellar empires, since they encompass only a local group of star systems.{{Cn|date=August 2021}}

When works feature galactic empires that truly do span most or all of their parent galaxy, they usually depict their capital as a "core world", a planet in a star system relatively close to a galaxy's [[supermassive black hole]]. Typically, "core worlds" will be portrayed as wealthier and more politically powerful than "rim worlds" closer to the edge of the galaxy. However, this portrayal, while common, is not universal; many works may invert this dynamic or reject it altogether.

Second, the "empire" in "galactic empire"  is also misleading, as it suggests the empire's government is [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian]] to at least some degree, if not completely autocratic. While many galactic empires do correspond to this description, many do not: galactic empires may adhere to any real-world political philosophy, or a unique form of governance created by the work's author(s). A prominent example of a non-autocratic galactic empire is the [[Galactic Republic]] of the [[Star Wars]] [[Star Wars prequel trilogy|prequel trilogy]], which is a [[hybrid regime]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[democracy]] (albeit one that collapses into [[Fascism|fascist dictatorship]] over the course of the story).