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Apprentice Legislators of Naboo
Nov. 6th, 2005 05:52 pmAt the age of eight, [Amidala] joined the Apprentice Legislature and became an Apprentice Legislator at age 11.... She served as supervisor of the city of Theed for two years before being elected Queen of Naboo.... By 14, she was elected Queen of Naboo.
- The StarWars.com Databank
Am I the only one who thinks this is a little odd? I don't mean the actual system. Apprenticeship was and is a widely-used method of passing on job skills because it works. I have no problem imagining special "future legislators" schools and young apprentices following legislators around, learning the craft. (Though I feel sorry for all the kids whose parents pushed them into it.) No, the part that I find strange is how short Amidala's apprenticeship is. She studies for three years, is an apprentice for one year, then is elected Princess of Theed at age twelve. As if that weren't enough, she's elected Queen of Naboo two years later. Usually when you finish an apprenticeship you start at the bottom of the job ladder. If you're exceptionally bright, you might skip a few rungs, but not most of the rungs! This just can't be normal, even on Naboo.
I suspect that most children in the Apprentice Legislature study for more than three years before becoming Apprentice Legislators. They must have massive amounts of legal theory and history to learn. Not to mention languages, economics, the mathematics necessary to understand their economics lessons, probably computer skills, classic futhork calligrahy, ceremonial dress, how to walk without tripping over the ceremonial dress, etc. And I suspect that, once they become Apprentice Legislators, they spend longer than one year in their apprenticeship before running for any office, let alone one of the highest offices on Naboo. The Naboo might value "purity of heart" over experience, but I doubt they'd be willing to let all their leaders be inexperienced children. You notice Amidala's advisors are all adults, and not particularly young adults.
Why the exceptions? Sure, Amidala is unusually bright, but child-queens don't seem all that rare either. There's another child-queen, Queen Apailana, only a few years after Amidala's term expired. And Amidala was not the youngest queen ever elected.
The Databank again: "While Queen Amidala was the ruler of Naboo she had a large staff of advisers and aides that handled the day-to-day affairs. Sio Bibble, for instance, was Naboo's governor." It sounds like the Queen's job is to set the general direction of the government, not to do much actual governing. Furthermore, "The Queen's elaborate gowns and make-up were steeped with historic symbols important to the Naboo" indicates that the office has a lot to do with upholding tradition. The Queen is a symbol of continuity and stability, a reassurance that the "Nabooan Way of Life" goes on. Technically, the Queen has a lot of power, but usually she does not use it. That's what the governor is for. Perhaps one of the reasons Amidala is so beloved by the Naboo is that she was an active queen as well as a good one. A monarch who earns her keep! Fabulous!
So while Naboo does elect child-monarchs, most Apprentice Legislators probably don't actually start legislating until the ripe old age of fifteen or twenty, and they probably start with fairly minor posts. Most Naboo government officials are adults.
At least I hope they are. The idea of fourteen-year-olds running a planet is frightening.
- The StarWars.com Databank
Am I the only one who thinks this is a little odd? I don't mean the actual system. Apprenticeship was and is a widely-used method of passing on job skills because it works. I have no problem imagining special "future legislators" schools and young apprentices following legislators around, learning the craft. (Though I feel sorry for all the kids whose parents pushed them into it.) No, the part that I find strange is how short Amidala's apprenticeship is. She studies for three years, is an apprentice for one year, then is elected Princess of Theed at age twelve. As if that weren't enough, she's elected Queen of Naboo two years later. Usually when you finish an apprenticeship you start at the bottom of the job ladder. If you're exceptionally bright, you might skip a few rungs, but not most of the rungs! This just can't be normal, even on Naboo.
I suspect that most children in the Apprentice Legislature study for more than three years before becoming Apprentice Legislators. They must have massive amounts of legal theory and history to learn. Not to mention languages, economics, the mathematics necessary to understand their economics lessons, probably computer skills, classic futhork calligrahy, ceremonial dress, how to walk without tripping over the ceremonial dress, etc. And I suspect that, once they become Apprentice Legislators, they spend longer than one year in their apprenticeship before running for any office, let alone one of the highest offices on Naboo. The Naboo might value "purity of heart" over experience, but I doubt they'd be willing to let all their leaders be inexperienced children. You notice Amidala's advisors are all adults, and not particularly young adults.
Why the exceptions? Sure, Amidala is unusually bright, but child-queens don't seem all that rare either. There's another child-queen, Queen Apailana, only a few years after Amidala's term expired. And Amidala was not the youngest queen ever elected.
The Databank again: "While Queen Amidala was the ruler of Naboo she had a large staff of advisers and aides that handled the day-to-day affairs. Sio Bibble, for instance, was Naboo's governor." It sounds like the Queen's job is to set the general direction of the government, not to do much actual governing. Furthermore, "The Queen's elaborate gowns and make-up were steeped with historic symbols important to the Naboo" indicates that the office has a lot to do with upholding tradition. The Queen is a symbol of continuity and stability, a reassurance that the "Nabooan Way of Life" goes on. Technically, the Queen has a lot of power, but usually she does not use it. That's what the governor is for. Perhaps one of the reasons Amidala is so beloved by the Naboo is that she was an active queen as well as a good one. A monarch who earns her keep! Fabulous!
So while Naboo does elect child-monarchs, most Apprentice Legislators probably don't actually start legislating until the ripe old age of fifteen or twenty, and they probably start with fairly minor posts. Most Naboo government officials are adults.
At least I hope they are. The idea of fourteen-year-olds running a planet is frightening.