Kevin quoted The Mask of Fear by Alexander Freed (Reign of the Empire, #1)
Before the Rebellion, the Empire reigns, in book one of a trilogy told through the …
"I never trusted politics," they said. "Always seemed like a distraction from actually getting things done, or a way to chase power."
"Usually it is." Laevido looked satisfied. "That's why executive authority is so important. But even in an Empire, when a visionary leader stands supreme, it's rthe people who lead society by example."
"Like what we're doing now?" Chemish asked.
"What we're doing now is modeling acceptible behavior, showing how a community ought to operate. Today we're building a place of safety for poor folk who've been ignored too long. Tomorrow... tomorrow we may need to show someone what's not acceptible in the new Empire."
"How do we do that?"
"Leavido chuckled softly, wrapping an arm around Chemish's shoulders. "By making an example of them."
— The Mask of Fear by Alexander Freed (Reign of the Empire, #1) (Page 251)
This conversation between two working-class citizens down in the depths of Coruscant demonstrates how the call to power and absolute authority appeals to those who think it will bring back their preferred way of life and how they're ready to support the new regime with vigilante-style violence, if necessary.