Federation's future?

[FaxModem1]

After Nemesis, what's next? will Bajor join the Federation? Will the Delta Flyer be put in mass production like the Defiant was? Will they become more democratic and less communistic or less democratic and more communistic?

Just questions I would like to hear speculated on.

[BenRG]

At the end of 'Nemesis', the United Federation of Planets is set to become the Alpha Quadrent's single most powerful nation. With the Romulans decapitated by the events in 'Nemesis', the Borg possibly destroyed (or at least seriously damaged) by the events in 'Endgame', the Klingons struggling to recover from the Dominion War and the Cardassians beaten and occupied, it does not seem as if there are any serious competitors to the Federation becoming top dog. Even if the Federation choses not to use the future technology the Voyager is carrying, just applying the Borg technology that she has picked up (including Seven's knowledge) would quickly put them far ahead of the technology curve. They will have automatically repairing hulls, much more powerful shields, beam weapons and torpedoes, plus transwarp drive and other goodies.

However, I don't think that any of this will make the Federation stronger. The essential nature of the Federation is pacifistic and generally stagnant. They are most likely to sit on most of the discoveries and pirated technologies the Voyager brought with her (although S31 might apply some of them to their own ships). They will use the time and resources that could make them a premiere millitary power to help their natural competitors rebuild. This will be a fatal error.

The events of 'Yesterday's Enterprise" and the Federation/Klingon war in DS9 show that, with a level playing field, the Klingons would most likely win a prolonged hot war with the Federation, simply because they are more effective fighters (although that isn't saying much). The Romulans have shown that they can keep the Federation at arms' length indefinately, and it is only a matter of time before one of their sneaky plots actually works out. The Cardassians' current situation is a breeding ground for radicalism and revenge politics. Look to them becoming the quadrant's new Fascists or Stalinists.

Simply put, the Federation will, inevetably, either be conquered, or simply completely stagnate and fall apart as the more ambitious and aggressive races seek to find their own destiny, away from the stifling stasis of the Federation. The only hope is if it becomes a more unified nation with a more realistic philosophy. A central government with a punch (no more planetary governments with their own agendas) and a more defence-oriented element to starfleet are both survival neccessities.

The Federation has reached its' maximum peaceful size, IMHO. Any further expansion will only take place through violent conquest. And, as the Klingons pointed out in 'The Final Reflection', arguably one of the finest licenced TOS novels, that which does not grow will inevetably decay.

[Jason von Evil]

The feddies only hope is that an militaristic Admiral stages a successful coupe and takes over the Federation.

[TheDarkling]

Aya: All the admirals off fighting the war probably moved up the ranks while the other sitting in SF HQ got killed, with a bit of luck the dead weight is gone and the Feds can continue with their upgraded military thinking (still a long long way to go).