The United Federation of Planets
Like many things in Star Trek, episodes and films may reference entities or laws within the Federation, but viewers are never given a broad view of its inner workings. Many contemporary terms are assigned to the Federation, but parallels to current government bodies and their roles and responsibilities are pure speculation on the part of fans and critics.[11]
In the timeline of Star Trek, the Federation was founded in 2161,[12] after the events of Star Trek: Enterprise but before those of the other series in the franchise. Its founding members were Earth, Vulcan, Andoria, and Tellar. Over time it has expanded to include many more worlds through peaceful voluntary assimilation. Some notable include: Bajor, Trill, Betazed, and Bolarus IX. References to the size of the Federation vary with Captain Kirk stating in 2267 that humanity was on "a thousand planets and spreading out",[13] while Captain Picard referred to the Federation (in 2373) as being made up of "over one hundred and fifty" planets, spread across 8,000 light-years.[14] The Federation is a major galactic power and at various times has been at war with other powers such as the Klingons, the Romulans and the Dominion. The Federation's space force is called Starfleet, and although most of Star Trek depicts peaceful exploration of the galaxy, Starfleet is also capable of considerable military might. Section 31 is a paramilitary espionage agency, described by writer Ira Steven Behr as "…doing the nasty stuff that no one wants to think about.".[15]
The Federation is depicted as a democratic republic, led by a President based in Paris on Earth.[16] Presidential powers include issuing pardons[17] and declaring states of emergency.[18] This president is supported by a cabinet.[19] The Federation also has a supreme court[20] and a legislature, the Federation Council, with delegates from its various member worlds.[21] A constitution and a charter have both been referred to as founding documents of the Federation.
Several planets are shown to desire Federation membership. Joining the Federation is a complicated process, and requires meeting various criteria. Disqualifying criteria include caste-based discrimination[22] and violations of sentient rights.[23] A single, unified government is not required for admission, but is desirable.[24] Most Starfleet personnel are Federation citizens. Non-citizens can join Starfleet, but the process is more difficult,[25] as with all non-Federation races.
Although some references to money have been made, the Federation is more commonly noted as being a society where the pursuit of material gain is not paramount and money has become obsolete. Trade mediated by the substance gold-pressed "latinum" does occur at its frontiers, most commonly by the Ferengi.
The Federation's counterpart in the Mirror Universe is the Terran Empire, a human-dominated authoritarian state which has formed an empire by conquest.
Comments