Obi-Wan Kenobi Doomed The Old Republic With Jedi Hypocrisy

In Star Wars, who do you think caused the most downfall of the Old Republic? You might say Palpatine for manipulating two major factions into civil war and seizing power, or Darth Vader, a former Jedi who hunted down and murdered his colleagues across the galaxy. But in reality, it was Obi-Wan Kenobi who ultimately doomed the Old Republic, as the dysfunctional Jedi Code prevented him from killing Anakin Skywalker when he had the chance.

How Obi-Wan Kenobi Killed the Old Republic

In the climax of Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan Kenobi doesn’t seem concerned with the fate of the Old Republic. Instead, his focus is on Anakin Skywalker, his former Padawan turned Jedi brother, who has become a Sith traitor. It’s a brutal scene where Kenobi leaves his dismembered friend to burn as they exchange final words. However, the critical point is that Kenobi does not kill his former pupil, allowing Darth Vader to survive and terrorize the galaxy.

For almost two decades, fans have debated Kenobi’s decision not to kill Anakin. The general consensus is that the Jedi Code prevented him from killing a defenseless enemy—a decision supported by events in Revenge of the Sith. Yet, by adhering to this outdated code, Obi-Wan Kenobi effectively doomed the Old Republic and condemned countless lives to suffering and death.

My argument is that Kenobi should have asked himself the same question Anton Chigurh posed in No Country for Old Men: “If the rule you followed brought you to this, of what use was the rule?” In a vacuum, Kenobi made the morally right choice by not killing a defenseless opponent, preserving his own soul from the dark side. However, he failed to consider the larger consequences: by sparing Anakin, he allowed Darth Vader to rise, leading to the fall of the Republic.

Kenobi bears responsibility for every life Darth Vader took afterward. By choosing to follow the Jedi Code, he prioritized principles over practical outcomes—a decision many fans defend, arguing that killing Anakin would have corrupted Kenobi. This mirrors the argument Batman fans make about why the Dark Knight doesn’t kill the Joker.

But here’s the thing: if Batman killed the Joker and felt remorse, he could turn himself in or even take his own life. Similarly, Kenobi could have killed Anakin, then secluded himself to meditate on his actions. Since he ultimately became a hermit on Tatooine anyway, he could have taken the necessary step to save the galaxy and then retreated into exile.

Many Star Wars fans criticize Luke Skywalker’s portrayal in The Last Jedi, but the film makes a valid point: the Jedi’s hypocrisy and rigidity contributed to the rise of the Sith. Obi-Wan Kenobi’s adherence to the Jedi Code, even when it doomed the Republic, exemplifies this. By sparing Anakin, he allowed the Emperor to consolidate power, leading to the galaxy’s oppression.