The intended parallel was the decay of democracy by the united effort of corporate interests. The Banking Clan, the Techno Union, the Commerce Guild, the Trade Federation, they all controlled a tremendous economic chunk of the Republic. The entire Separatist movement was orchestrated by the Sith, from the death of Master Syfo-Dias to the Hyperspace War that started the trade route taxes.

The entire thing was built by the Sith from day one to turn the Republic into the Empire.