Weird how one of the rare explicit social critiques in th saga is also one of the most reviled parts.
That's 'cause it isn't a social critique. In a franchise that builds its message off hope and good overcoming evil, it's an overly cynical "both sides" moment that tries to tell us the Republic and the First Order are no different and the galaxy at large doesn't care who is in charge as long as it doesn't interrupt business.
You can't even argue that the point is DJ is wrong 'cause he scarpered off with his reward for betraying the good guys and we never hear about him or Canto Bight ever again.
Nor can you argue that it explains how or why the First Order was able to come into power - as Rise of Skywalker showed much more effectively, the First Order invaded and occupied planets, kidnapped all the children and indoctrinated them. They seized all the materials they needed for their fleet, killed anyone that challenged them and without any organised Republic military to oppose them planets were left to fend for themselves.
The real irony is that the prequel trilogy, especially Revenge of the Sith, has social commentary that's more relevant today than ever before but you won't see anyone bring
that up. The Republic fell not with a sword or a gun, but a speech. Liberty died to the sound of thunderous applause, as Padmé so eloquently put it. One man turned a democracy into a dictatorship and the politicians welcomed it with open arms.