Star Wars: 10 Huge Problems No One Wants To Admit About The Jedi
8. They Operate Undemocratically
Sure, the Jedi exist and operate within a Republic throughout the Prequel Era, but their apparent respect for democracy is only practised and never preached.
Working closely with Senators throughout the Clone Wars, the Jedi represent religious interference within an apparently secular state, even conspiring to overthrow the Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine despite the overwhelming support of the Senate (sure, he ended up turning into a dictatorial mass-murdering Emperor, but they didn't know he would...).
In fact, the Jedi's tight involvement with politics works against them, as Palpatine uses their growing influence within the Senate to generate a spirit of mistrust against the order towards the end of the Clone Wars.
Indeed, Order 66 is predicated on the idea that Jedi are "every single Jedi ... is now an enemy of the Republic" - and really, that isn't wrong.