Genetic superiority as a trope distinctly lacks the kinds of compassionate loving-kindness, strong moral/ethical codes, and good leadership skills one would want out of the supermen put in place to rule mere mortals such as ourselves, hence Iain Banks' reply, when questioned whether Culture AIs would be what gods are actually like, was "If we're lucky."

The trope is based on it allowing for reluctant superhero character. Since powers are given by birth, we can watch kids struggle to come to grips with their powers. If powers are earned, then superheros would all be driven 'winners' ... mostly the psycopaths able to defeat all competitors. That is where we get evil characters.

As a general rule, good guys have powers forced upon them. Bad guys have to work for them. This enforces the concept of an elite class of 'good' families and a dangerous group of upstart peasants. The theme has been with us since ancient times. Far too long imho.

Ok, but that's a critique of the writers, not an in-universe critique of the Jedi. I guess I misunderstood the angle you were coming at this from.

The standard critiques of anti-democratic regimes almost never appeal to the existence of individual decision makers -- or even groups of decision makers -- whose governing ability is superior to that of the current dictator.

(In fact, many critiques of anti-democratic regimes don't even accept that this is something over which there is even a debate to be had. As one author put it, men have a "self-evident" right to govern themselves within a framework respectful of human rights.)