Great Militia Debate

The Great Militia Debate was a series of discussions by the Galactic Republic Senate, about the creation and subsequent conscription of a galactic scale military complete with an army and navy. The debate proposed the drafting of all security and police forces into one uniform military force that would defend the Republic. The Jedi Order would be the one organization not required to fold into the military and would allow to remain independent, if not allowed to lead the forces.

The discussion took place near the end of 23 BBY until the middle of 22 BBY when the Barbarians attacked and a bill adopting the formation of a militia was passed.

Lead in
The events that led into the discussion were surrounded in controversy and mystery. The attack of a prison and an agricultural based system was cause for debate. The Jedi Order had deemed it an attack by a dark Jedi, while antagonists of the Jedi had described it as "nothing more than a veiled attempt by the Jedi to force their agenda." When told about the destruction of their farm holdings on they replied with "only the Jedi would destroy their own property to further subvert us."

A being known as Zell Coo-Neo had led the attacks on the Republic held systems and had been killed by his own subordinate. This disallowed the authorities from questioning him. After the incidents the Senate was much more open to discussing the idea of creating the first military in a millennium; it had been thrown out of a Senatorial session less than a year before.

Reasoning
The debate began in 23 BBY with a discussion about the reasoning behind a potential military. The pro-militia Senators said it would help with response to crises in the future as well as deter possible terrorists and splinter groups. It would also bring better training and reduce crime rates in the galaxy.

Negators said it would bring more problems with it and it may bring violent protest with it. Another reason they were against it was that they thought that anyone with an ounce of power and influence in the military could essentially control the galaxy by forcing a coup to control the Republic.