-------------------- Yes, you're despicable, and... and picable... and... and you're definitely, definitely despicable. How a person can get so despicable in one lifetime is beyond me. It isn't as though I haven't met a lot of people. Goodness knows it isn't that. It isn't just that... it isn't... it's... it's despicable.
Registered: Mar 1999
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Each planet is allowed it's own form of planetary government, as long as it abides to the Federation Constitution and it's principles (or perhaps they have to abide to some overall Federation Laws). And it is up to the individual Members to supply Council Members. The Bynars could collectively blip twice to vote, the Aaamazzarites might hold annual furniture-making races, and Vulcan might just appoint someone (explainging T'Pau being the only one EVARR! to turn down a seat on the Council).
I think you could vaguely compare it to what the European Union wants to be. Planets are still 'sovereign' entities, and can pursue their own goals, but they're united in a Federation for trade, mutual protection, mutual scientific development and other niceties. Some worlds (most obviously the early members like Earth and Vulcan) might be more involved than others.
Then there's the colonies. In TOS (and in the other series as well), they looked as good as autonomous...
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Here's something I found interesting and perhaps relavant to the discussion: Combine and Conquer, from Wired, about the political, uh, "space" of the European Union.
Registered: Mar 1999
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