United Federation of Planets

Facts

• Full name: United Federation of Planets
• Common name: Federation
• Founded: August 12, 2161
  • Successor state to the Coalition of Planets
• Center of Government: Palais de la Concorde, Paris, France, Earth (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
• Population: Hundreds of billions (DS9 Novel: Mission Gamma: Cathedral)
• Membership
  • 10 member states as of March 2166 (ENT Novel: Patterns of Interference)
  • 82 member states as of 2248 (DIS Novel: The Way to the Stars)
  • Over 100 member states as of January 2266 (VAN Novel: Reap the Whirlwind)
  • Over 150 member states as of October 2373 (First Contact)
  • 154 member states as of May 2380 (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
  • 155 member states as of December 2380 (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
  • Federation Members
    • Count does not include various Federation protectorates
  • Following an official petition for membership from a given government to the Federation Council, delegations from the Federation Diplomatic Corps and Starfleet are dispatched in order to determine if government meets membership requirements ((TNG: "Attached"; DS9 Novel: Mission Gamma: Twilight)
    • General expected timetable of evaluation approximately two years (DS9: "Crossfire", "Rapture")
    • Membership requirements (non-exhaustive)
      • Significant enough technological base or political involvement to preclude concerns of societal interference (TNG: "First Contact"; Star Trek: Insurrection)
      • Stable planetary unity, including respect of the rights of the individual (TNG: "The Hunter", "Attached"; Novel: Articles of the Federation)
        • Illegalization of slavery and exploitation a minimum prerequisite (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
        • General discrimination by race, religion, caste, gender, sexual identity, etc. usually precludes membership (TNG: "Attached"; DS9: "Accession")
          • Sincere ongoing efforts to end systemic discrimination can influence leniency
    • Upon recommendation from all delegations, the Federation Council votes to approve or deny membership
    • If denied, a government is ineligible to reapply for membership earlier than five years after the denial (DS9 Novel: Mission Gamma: Twilight)
    • Upon induction, members of a new government's military are given the opportunity to transition to Starfleet directly, maintaining equivalent rank and seniority with additional training as needed, or to remain in their government's military (DS9 Novel: Mission Gamma: Twilight)
      • Specific individuals can be denied offers for Starfleet rank on a case-by-case basis (DS9 Novel: Mission Gamma: Twilight)
  • Individual members still hold some degree of sovereignty, including continuity of government following membership and sharing ambassadors between one another
    • Federation membership largely to facilitate interplanetary cooperation and trade and provide for interplanetary defense
      • Individual members allowed to maintain their militaries, but such forces are largely relegated to home defense only, with members no longer permitted to take military action outside their space
    • Regular Ministerial Conferences held as needed for executive heads with relevant portfolios to meet, discuss Federation issues and devise policy (ENT Novel: A Choice of Futures)
      • Additionally includes Prime Ministers' Conference for member heads of state (ENT Novel: A Choice of Futures)
        • Later known as Council of Governors by 2376 (TNG Novel: A Time for War, A Time for Peace; Novel: Articles of the Federation)
  • Benefits of membership include technological support by the Federation
    • Such technology includes weather control grids

Bordering territories

• Cardassian Union
  • Upon expansion of Cardassian territory 2320s
• Gorn Hegemony
  • Upon expansion of Federation territory February 2266 to Cestus III colony (VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
  • First contact December 2266 upon Cestus III attack (TOS: "Arena")
• Klingon Empire
  • No border by 2165 (ENT Novel: Live by the Code)
  • Territorial expansion formed border by 2255 (DIS)
• Nalori Republic
  • Bordered by late 22nd century (SCE Short Story: "Invincible, Book One")
• Regnancy of the Carnelian Throne
  • Upon rimward expansion of Federation territory mid-2360s to Alpha Persei cluster (TNG Novel: The Buried Age)
• Romulan Star Empire
  • Border established 2160 following Earth-Romulan War (ENT Novel: To Brave the Storm)
• Tholian Assembly
  • By 2265 (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
• Tzenkethi Coalition
  • Bordering by mid-24th century (DS9: "The Adversary")
  • Nearest member worlds include Nasat (Novel: Articles of the Federation)

Former Bordering Territories

• Thallonian Empire
  • Upon acceptance of Danteri Empire mid-24th century (NF Novel: House of Cards)
  • Empire collapsed late 2373 (NF Novel: House of Cards)

History

• August 12, 2161: Established
• January 2166: In response to the rise of Maltuvis on Sauria, the Federation ends all trade and decries his government. Internal debate amongst Starfleet brass on whether direct intervention was warranted marks one of the first steps towards the establishment of the Prime Directive. (ENT Novel: Patterns of Interference)
• Late 22nd century: Brief border war with the Nalori Republic (SCE Short Story: "Invincible, Book One")
• Late 22nd century: Prior to the establishment of the Prime Directive, Starfleet intervention at the order of the Federation leads to the overthrow of the tyrannical, expansionist government of the Nachri Empire, in favor of a local rebel movement seeking to establish a democratic regime. (SCE Short Story: "Aftermath")
• 2232: War threatened between Federation and the Tholian Assembly following a firefight in the Corwin system (TNG Novel: A Time for War, A Time for Peace)
  • Averted upon withdrawal of Tholians into their own space (TNG Novel: A Time for War, A Time for Peace)
• Before 2242: Treaty of some sort signed with the Klingon Empire (TOS Novel: Errand of Vengeance: Killing Blow)
• 2242: Battle of Donatu V serves as an instigator for simmering Klingon discontent towards the Federation for decades to come (TOS: "The Trouble with Tribbles"; TOS Novel: Errand of Vengeance: Killing Blow)
• May 11, 2256: Protracted eight-month war with Klingon Empire begun following consolidation of the Empire's Great Houses under a single direction. (DIS)
• December 17, 2266: First contact with Gorn Hegemony and Metrons upon territory dispute over Cestus III (TOS: "Arena")
• March 22, 2267: Beginning of 2267 Federation-Klingon War (TOS: "Errand of Mercy"; VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
  • Conflict ended March 23, 2267 (TOS: "Errand of Mercy"; VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
• 2293: Signing of the Khitomer Accords, establishing a peaceful alliance between the Federation and the Klingon Empire (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)
  • Over the years immediately following the Khitomer Accords, internal strife begins to rise between the civilian government and Starfleet, especially due to the revelation of the internal conspiracy within Starfleet to assassinate Chancellors Gorkon and Azetbur (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country; TLE Novel: The Sundered)
• Mid-to-late 2320s: First diplomatic contact with the Cardassian Union. (TTN Novel: Taking Wing)
  • Occurred during the administration of President Thelian, 2324-2332, per text
• February 26, 2364: First contact with the Q during the Farpoint Station incident with Q. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint")
• Early July 2369: First contact with Wadi upon arrival of Vulcan science vessel at their homeworld (DS9: "Move Along Home")
  • First diplomatic contact between the Federation and a Gamma Quadrant power (DS9: "Move Along Home")
• By 2372: Numerous trade agreements established between Federation and Ferengi Alliance (DS9 Novel: The 34th Rule)
• July 30, 2373: Beginning of Dominion War (DS9: "By Inferno's Light")
  • Conflict ended December 31, 2375 (DS9: "What You Leave Behind")
• September 2374: The first treaty with both the Gorn Hegemony and the Metrons is signed, negotiated by Governor Nanietta Bacco of Cestus III. (TNG Novel: A Time for War, A Time for Peace)

Political Structure

• Described and established by Articles of the Federation

Executive

• Led by President
  • Election held once every four years (TNG Novel: A Time for War, A Time for Peace)
    • Direct election by all Federation citizens among those nominated by the Council (TNG Novel: A Time for War, A Time for Peace)
    • Elections held in October, president takes oath of office in November (TNG Novel: A Time for War, A Time for Peace)
  • No term limits
  • In event of resignation or death, special election is held for remainder of term
  • Federation Presidents
  • Office located on top floor of Palais de la Concorde (TNG Novel: A Time for War, A Time for Peace)
  • Traditional residence starting 2320s the Château Thelian (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
    • Named for President Thelianaresth th'Vorothishria, who had it constructed (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
  • Three warp-capable personal shuttles for transport by late-24th century (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
    • - 2380 - : al-Rashid (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
    • - 2380 - : sh'Rothress (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
    • - 2380 - : T'Maran (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
• Office of the President directed by Chief of Staff
  • Has authority over all staff in the Palais
  • Often serves as advisor to the President
  • Granted high security clearance to support them
  • Administration specific, comes and goes with the President
  • Federation President Chiefs of Staff
• Divided into various departments
  • Departments formed by Council, filled by Executive appointment with Council approval
  • Led by Secretaries
    • Collection of Secretaries known as Presidential Cabinet
    • Cabinet Members
  • Commissioners implement policy in field, meet regularly at regional departmental conferences
    • Federation Commissioners
    • Directors immediately below commissioners in authority for field projects (TOS Novel: Ex Machina)
  • Departments:
    • Agriculture (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
    • Commerce
    • Defense (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
      • Starfleet falls under jurisdiction of Federation Department of Defense, though only Federation President is in Starfleet chain of command, not Federation Secretary of Defense
    • Exterior
      • Foreign policy
    • Housing (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
    • Justice (est. 2161) (ENT Novel: Patterns of Interference)
    • Science and Technology (est. 2161) (ENT Novel: A Choice of Futures; Novel: Articles of the Federation)
      • Terraform Command (TNG: "Home Soil"; TNG Novel: A Time to Sow)
        • Established late-23rd century in aftermath of Project Genesis (TNG Novel: A Time to Sow)
    • Temporal Investigations (est. 2270)
    • Travel
      • Transportation
        • Federation Travel Office (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
          • Manages travel logistics for all official visits into, out of, and within the Federation (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
    • Federation Security Advisor (ENT Novel: A Choice of Futures)
      • Independent cabinet-level office appointed directly by the President without Council approval, no connection to Departments of Defense or the Exterior
      • Works with Starfleet to provide daily security briefings
      • Has a deputy, also appointed by the President, as well as independent staff
      • Serves as alternate point of view, as well as providing (in theory) mutual oversight between the office of the FSA and the Departments of Defense or the Exterior
• Colonial activities
  • Apportionment of planets directed by Bureau of Colonization (TOS Novel: The Captain's Oath)
    • Ensures viability of survival, lack of indigenous sentient life on candidate worlds
    • Limits selection of worlds around pre-warp civilization so as to not deprive others of future resources
  • Colonial operations directed by Federation Colonial Authority (DIS Novel: Desperate Hours)
    • Also commonly known as Federation Colonial Administration, UFP Colony Administration (VAN Novel: Summon the Thunder, Open Secrets)
    • Headquartered in Beijing, China, Earth (DIS Novel: Desperate Hours)
    • In charge of both directing Federation-sponsored colonial operations and processing and approving colonial applications by private parties
    • Federation colony
• Diplomatic relations
  • Foreign policy executed by the Federation Diplomatic Corps (Novel: Revelation and Dust)
    • Though an executive office, foreign diplomats under the Diplomatic Corps are supervised by the Federation External Affairs Council (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
      • Internal diplomats are wholly under executive purview
    • Headquartered at the Diplomatic Directorate, The Hague, Netherlands, Earth (TLE Novel: The Sundered)
    • Highest level: Ambassadors
      • Selected by President, confirmed by the Council
      • Traditionally resign at the conclusion of a President's administration, incoming President can offer continuance of role or select new ambassador in their place (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
      • Ambassadors kept both between Federation and foreign powers and between member nations
        • Latter likely appointed by individual member states, not under FDC
      • Federation Ambassadors
      • Ambassadors have legal power over starship commanders, can deliver orders if necessary for the fulfillment of their mission (TOS:
      • Starfleet starship commanders considered to have diplomatic power equal to that of ambassadors otherwise, for purposes of initially representing the Federation in first contact situations far from Federation infrastructure (TNG Novel: The Buried Age)
        • As a result, command path training includes diplomatic training alongside other courses
        • Prolonged negotiations beyond initial contact, however, require FDC intervention
    • Other roles chosen largely at FDC or ambassadorial discretion
      • Lower-ranked officials include envoys, consuls, and attaches (Star Trek V: The Final Frontier; Novel: Revelation and Dust)
      • Temporary title of "special envoy" can be given by FDC to outside civilians without Presidential or Council approval when time concerns prevent it
        • Only short-term, may only be given in situations involving sensitive negotiations where individuals outside the FDC structure have connections or resources necessary for the success of the negotiations (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country; TNG: "The Emissary")
        • Often referred to as "special emissary" (TNG: "Emissary"; TNG Novel: A Time for War, A Time for Peace)
        • Considered legally equal in position to ambassador, but only with regard to their specific mission
        • Special envoys will often, if successful, be invited to ambassadorial positions later (TNG: "Reunion", "Unification")
    • FDC also responsible for drafting treaties and agreements with foreign powers (DS9: "Blood Oath")
  • Foreign ambassadors received by the President
  • Federation First Contact Office (DS9 Novel: Millennium: Fall of Terok Nor)
    • Handles all procedures for pre-contact and contact activities with new civilizations
• Legal enforcement
  • Interpretation and enforcement of the law directed by the Office of the Attorney General for the United Federation of Planets (TNG Novel: Available Light)
    • Federation Attorneys General
    • Commonly known as the "legal office" (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
    • Also responsible for determining position of the executive branch with respect to legal requirements and restrictions (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
  • Internal security served by the Federation Security Agency (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock; TNG Novel: Available Light)

Legislative and Judicial

• Led by Federation Council
  • President serves as presiding official
  • Each member nation represented by one councillor
  • Method of selection determined individually by each member nation
  • Service indefinite
  • Federation Councillors
  • New sessions convene once every five months, on the first of May and the first November, followed by a one month recess (DS9 Novel: Bajor: Fragments and Omens)
    • Councillors for new member nations are not allowed to join a session in progress; they must be present at the start of their first session (DS9 Novel: Bajor: Fragments and Omens)
  • Council chamber as well as offices for individual councillors located within the Palais de la Concorde (TNG Novel: A Time for War, A Time for Peace)
• Includes various standing committees
  • Members of councils nominated by President, approved by full council
  • Archaeology Council
  • External Affairs Council (TNG Novel: A Time for War, A Time for Peace; Novel: Articles of the Federation)
    • Supervisory role over Federation Diplomatic Corps (TNG Novel: A Time for War, A Time for Peace; Novel: Articles of the Federation)
  • Government Oversight Council (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
  • Intelligence Council
  • Interplanetary Commerce Council (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
  • Judiciary Council
    • Equivalent of, and occasionally referred to as, supreme court
    • Also serves as legal advisory board for the President, aiding the office of the Attorney General
    • Lower courts empowered via the Judiciary Council
      • Colonial Court (DIS Novel: Desperate Hours)
        • Oversees legal matters significant to the Federation arising from colonial bodies
  • Science Council
  • Security Council (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
    • 13 member body consisting of five councillors representing the founding members, eight appointed (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
      • Appointed members colloquially known as the "back eight" (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
  • Technology Council (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
• Annual reception held in March for selected members of the Council (Novel: Articles of the Federation)
  • Known as the London Dinner (Novel: Articles of the Federation)

Related records

• Federation Civil and Criminal Code
• Federation Politics