Tarkin Doctrine/Legends

"Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this battle station."

- Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin

The Tarkin Doctrine, also known as the Doctrine of Fear and officially known as Imperial Communiqué #001044.92v, was a message originally sent direct to Emperor Palpatine from then Moff Wilhuff Tarkin. The transmission detailed methods for maintaining order and increasing security within the Galactic Empire. It became one of the most important documents regarding Imperial policy.

Overview
"The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers."

- Princess Leia to Grand Moff Tarkin

The Tarkin Doctrine suggested the creation of Oversectors to more properly handle Rebel threats in a group of systems, the use of the HoloNet to coordinate Sector Groups, and the concept of rule through fear of force, rather than force itself, with a weapon of unimaginable power as the symbol of this fear.

Emperor Palpatine was very impressed with the ideas, so much that all the suggestions were implemented, with Tarkin promoted to the new rank of Grand Moff, making him the first of the Grand Moffs, and placed in charge of Oversector Outer, which was most of the Outer Rim Territories. In addition, he was given command of four Sector Groups. However, Palpatine increasingly changed Tarkin's original words to his own meaning, "Rule through fear instead of through idealistic government agencies".

Ultimately, the Tarkin Doctrine was a complete failure. The Empire was unsuccessful in instilling the fear necessary to keep the systems in line, even with the Death Star, which produced the exact opposite results it was intended for&mdash;instead of cowing under the threat of such a weapon, the people viewed its victims (particularly the unarmed planet Alderaan) as martyrs and rallied to the Rebellion's cause. Although much of this effect might be put down to the fact that the Death Star itself was destroyed only a matter of days later, countering the image of an 'invincible' weapon handily, and leaving only the rage of countless people at the destruction of one of the most peaceful worlds in the Galaxy in its place.

Behind the scenes
The Tarkin Doctrine appears to have similarities to the Chinese philosophy of Legalism, utilized by the first Chinese Emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi. Both ideas stated that laws must be obeyed out of fear. The term "Tarkin Doctrine" could also come from the Truman Doctrine or the Brezhnev Doctrine, protocols from the Cold War. His rule through fear idea also is very Machiavellian, a concept created by the Italian Niccolo Machiavelli.

Appearances

 * Death Star
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Star Wars: Force Commander (Game manual)
 * Star Wars: Rebellion
 * Shadow Stalker
 * Galaxy of Fear: Planet Plague
 * Dark Apprentice
 * Dark Apprentice