Editing United Federation of Planets (section)

== In-universe portrayal ==
Like many things in ''Star Trek'', episodes and [[Star Trek films|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Star Trek, Fandom, and Mythos: The Themed Convention &#124; in Media Res |date=September 9, 2010 |url=http://mediacommons.org/imr/2010/08/21/star-trek-fandom-and-mythos-themed-convention}}</ref>

In the [[Timeline of Star Trek|timeline of ''Star Trek'']], the Federation was founded in 2161,<ref>[[The Outcast (Star Trek: The Next Generation)]]</ref> after the events of ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' but before those of the other series in the franchise. Its founding members were [[Earth]], [[Vulcan (Star Trek)#Homeworld|Vulcan]], [[Andorian|Andoria]], and [[List of Star Trek races#Tellarite|Tellar]]. Over time it has expanded to include many more worlds through peaceful voluntary association. Some notable ones include Trill, Betazed, and Bolarus IX. References to the size of the Federation vary, with [[James T. Kirk|Captain Kirk]] stating in 2267 that humanity was on "a thousand planets and spreading out",<ref>"[[Metamorphosis (Star Trek: The Original Series)]]"</ref> while [[Jean-Luc Picard|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.<ref>[[Star Trek: First Contact]]</ref> The Federation is a major galactic power, and at various times has been at war with other powers such as the [[Klingon]]s, the [[Romulan]]s and the [[Dominion (Star Trek)|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 (Star Trek)|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.".<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last1=Erdmann |first1=Terry J. |title=Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion |last2=Block |first2=Paula M. |date=August 2000 |publisher=[[Pocket Books]] |isbn=978-0-671-50106-8 |location=New York |pages=551}}</ref>

The Federation is depicted as a democratic republic, led by a [[President (government title)|President]] based in [[Paris]] on Earth.<ref>Star Trek IV and VI</ref> Presidential powers include issuing pardons<ref>Star Trek: Discovery [[Michael Burnham]]</ref> and declaring states of emergency.<ref>As depicted in ''[[Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home]]'' and "[[Homefront (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)|Homefront]]"</ref> This president is supported by a [[Cabinet (government)|cabinet]].<ref>"[[Extreme Measures (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)]]"</ref> The Federation also has a [[supreme court]]<ref>[[Doctor Bashir, I Presume?]]</ref> and a legislature, the Federation Council, with delegates from its various member worlds.<ref>''[[Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home]]''</ref> 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<ref name="Accession">[[Accession (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)]]</ref> and violations of sentient rights.<ref>[[The Hunted (Star Trek: The Next Generation)]]</ref> A single, unified government is not required for admission, but is desirable.<ref name="Attached">"[[Attached]]" (''The Next Generation'')</ref> Most Starfleet personnel are Federation citizens. Non-citizens can join Starfleet, but the process is more difficult,<ref>In "[[Heart of Stone (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)|Heart of Stone]]" the [[Ferengi]] [[Nog (Star Trek)|Nog]] requires a letter of recommendation from a command-level Starfleet officer in order to apply for Starfleet academy</ref> as with all non-Federation races.

The Federation's counterpart in the [[Mirror Universe]] is the Terran Empire, a human-dominated [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian]] state which has formed an empire by conquest.