Verboten said:

We're talking about a series of films that are supposed to be modern fairy tales. It's pretty clear that the intention was that with the evil sorcerer dead peace would return to the kingdom, and that's with or without the SEs.

I grew tired of viewing the OT as a "modern fairy tale" with all the simplistic, namby-pampy bullshit that description entails a long time ago, so I couldn't care less.

It also makes it seem like Luke and the Rebels didn't actually accomplish anything. Who cares that they defeated the Sith if there is still an evil dictatorship running things?

As far as I'm concerned, the death of Palpatine spelled the beginning of the end of the Empire. Without central leadership, the Empire devolved into chaos and broke apart as every warlord with a thirst for power began fighting his brother for possession of Palpatine's throne, allowing the Rebels to move on in and gain enough ground to establish a New Republic.

I don't need everything wrapped up in a neat little package right away to feel as if something significant was accomplished.