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Public Lecture: Balance in the Force - Star Wars as a cultural critique of U.S. manifest destiny

Patrick Thaddeus Jackson on Star Wars, manifest destiny, and U.S. foreign policy

Event artwork: Public Lecture: Balance in the Force - Star Wars as a cultural critique of U.S. manifest destiny

In short

In this public lecture, Professor Patrick Thaddeus Jackson looks at Star Wars as part of a broader public discussion about political action. He argues that the franchise offers a counter-myth to manifest destiny, with a strong focus on balance and skepticism toward chosen ones. The discussion after the lecture will be moderated by Toni Čerkez.

Summary by Eventeeka from the organizer’s announcement. The original text follows below.

2 December 2026, Wednesday · 16:00–17:30 · Free · EN

Tallinn University, room M-134, Uus-Sadama 5, 10120 Tallinn, Harju maakond ↗

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The Star Wars film franchise is a global cultural behemoth, earning immense sums at the box office, inspiring a plethora of merchandise, and providing fertile material for political and social analogies of all kinds. But what does Star Wars itself have to say about global 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 artifacts like Star Wars participate in a broad public dialogue about political action, rather than serving as mere entertaining diversions.

As a film franchise born in the United States, it is no surprise that Star Wars takes a stance with respect to the central myth of the United States: manifest destiny, or 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 rooted in the idea of balance, and featuring immense skepticism about “chosen ones” of all kinds.

About the Speaker:

Patrick Thaddeus Jackson is Professor of International Studies at the School of International Service, American University (Washington, D.C.). His research focuses on international relations theory, the philosophy of social science, and the role of culture and ideas in global politics.

Drawing on his interdisciplinary approach, Professor Jackson examines how popular culture can challenge dominant political narratives and offer alternative perspectives on U.S. foreign policy.

The discussion following the lecture will be moderated by Toni Čerkez, Lecturer in International Relations at Tallinn University’s School of Governance, Law and Society.

📅 02.12.26 4PM-5.30PM

📍 Tallinn University, room M-143

🎟️ Free (Everyone is welcome!)

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