Threats

6Expansion of Authority and Isolation

“These aren't the droids you're looking for,” Ben Kenobi tells the Stormtroopers who have just stopped him. On whose authority? In fact, this is the first time we see the application of Jedi mind control because, in fact, those are the droids the Stormtroopers are looking for. Kenobi shouldn't be able to convince the Stormtroopers to let them move along. He uses his power to expand his effective authority and accomplish his goal.

In the prequels, Kenobi is a general and was removed from rank only as a result of a coup and an order to commit war crimes. Star Wars geeks may focus on the idea that Kenobi is still a general. So, at a stretch, he might be able to issue orders to troops. Regardless, he does not assert authority as a general but rather uses his Jedi powers. So…that's not the argument you're looking for.

The E in STRIDE stands for “expansion of authority.” Historically, it has also stood for “elevation of privilege,” “escalation of privilege,” or “privilege escalation.” The privilege versions are all synonymous. They're also better known than the expansion of authority definition. For most of this chapter, we'll consider authority in a broad sense and get precise about how these all relate only at the end of the chapter. If all these terms are new to you, focus on the idea of authority. If you've been exposed to the privilege frame, stay with me. At the end of the chapter, I'll explain why I'm shifting my thinking to authority. ...