Star Trek to drop socialism

Originally posted by -Pr-
You could look at it that way, sure.

The reason I brought up the UN parallels is because you have very different worlds, ideologies and cultures coming together under the banner of peace and cooperation.

Originally posted by Kinneary
Well, that's pretty much the same as the states. Granted in the states we haven't reached the level of tolerance that is shown in the UFP, it seems pretty obvious (at least to me) that the UFP was originally created as a parallel to the US. Different cultures coming together to act as one. The UN seems, to me, a pretty bad correlation for the UFP. The UN really isn't treated seriously even by member nations, and each nation operating under it is very, very independent.

You could say the same about America, though. 😛

Originally posted by -Pr-
You could look at it that way, sure.

The reason I brought up the UN parallels is because you have very different worlds, ideologies and cultures coming together under the banner of peace and cooperation.

Originally posted by Omega Vision
But the UFP is actually capable of being decisive sometimes. If the UFP were actually like the UN then the Borg would have assimilated Earth while the Federation Council discussed whether there was precedent for levying sanctions on a Hive Mind Society.

Oh, I know. I tend to think of the Federation and Starfleet as separate entities sometimes.

Although... Prime Directive. if not for some rogue(ish) Captains, the Federation would be screwed.

So what does the thread OP actually entail?

And, there is an episode in TNG that says that TFoP doesn't use money as it's useless in their time. (Picard said it.)

And in the movie First contact, Im sure Picard mentions it when giving Alfre Woodard the his at gunpoint 1st tour of the Enterprise.. Im may be wrong, but Im sure I remember that as hes updating her as to Mankind moving on from factionism, and greed of wealth 'n stuff....

Money isn't used within the Federation. They do have a form of currency to deal with other species though (many Starfleet officers have personal latinum funds, for instance).

I remember an episode involving people from the 21st century thawed from cryogenics chambers, one of which was a big shot Investor type who was horrified to discover that all the money he'd saved up no longer existed.

Originally posted by Omega Vision
I remember an episode involving people from the 21st century thawed from cryogenics chambers, one of which was a big shot Investor type who was horrified to discover that all the money he'd saved up no longer existed.

Yeah, "The Neutral Zone", no more dollars for him lol.

Originally posted by -Pr-
Yeah, "The Neutral Zone", no more dollars for him lol.

Originally posted by the ninjak
Money didn't exist in this reality!

How can money or a Stock Market exist when you can make anything you want! Gold, Art, MONEY!!!!!!!!

People earned respect in their feats and sacrifices. Bums got fed and lived their lives....sounds perfect.

Exactly they are a bit like a less liberal Iain Banks 'Culture', I think the Federation will one day evolve to that if they had enough positronic brains. ;-) Law would have done well in the culture spy lot lol.

The UFP more or less eliminated the whole concept of scarcity within its territory. No scarcity means no logical need for money in any real sense since everything is more or less abundant. Everyone either joins the military or follows his or her pursuits as it suits them. I don't really see how capitalism has any relevance for a majority of people and for those that can't find what they need, they can always buy stuff from Ferengi.

" they can always buy stuff from Ferengi."

with what?

They dont have money?

Originally posted by Shey Tapani
" they can always buy stuff from Ferengi."

with what?

They dont have money?

Starfleet officers get their hands on Latinum. It's never been explained how, but even the crew of DS9 had to pay for food and drink in quark's bar.

Originally posted by -Pr-
Starfleet officers get their hands on Latinum. It's never been explained how, but even the crew of DS9 had to pay for food and drink in quark's bar.

Originally posted by Omega Vision
Latinum can't be replicated right?

Right. So they must have to barter or something. Some of them gamble too.

Is Latinum an element that can't be replicated?

Originally posted by the ninjak
Is Latinum an element that can't be replicated?

Yes. It seems to be an actual element, from what I can tell. It gets stored within bars of gold for currency purposes (as Latinum's standard state seems to be a liquid).

Interesting that they can replicate humans and not an element.
It must be very complex.

Originally posted by the ninjak
Interesting that they can replicate humans and not an element.
It must be very complex.

Replicate humans?