Empire: order and protection, citizens are left relatively alone and can live in indepence unless the empire need to submit them temporarily to protect the safety of the galaxy (desert planet and lando planet were independent, the empire used its authority only when they had to capture dangerous terrorists). Ranking depends on merit and promotions are common and extremely dynamic. high ranking position have accountability, if they screw up they have to face the dark side strangling.

Rebel: a bunch of dangerous, misguided idealists that are ready to make the galaxy descend into chaos by destroying the centralized and strong empire, just to make leia a princess again. Your ranking is determined by your origin. Worship jedis who are jedis because of their birth (you are either born with midichlorians or you are not), while in the empire every common man can join to protect the peace and advance in positions based on merit.