Created by Captain Michael Turlogh Kane on Aug 16, 2016 @ 3:56pm

MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS

MEMBERSHIP IN THE UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS is open to any warp-capable sentient species willing to abide by the conditions and obligations outlined in the Articles of Federation and the Federation Charter.

When a new species first applies for membership in the Federation, there follows a period of cultural exchange (usually three years) in which both sides learn from one another and the Federation's values and principles are disseminated through the applying world. Technology and science exchanges are kept to a minimum during this period. As a final step, the Federation Assembly votes on whether to accept or reject the admission of the new applicant.

If the applying planet is admitted, several changes occur to their society. Their military and domestic government is dissolved. The new member world elects a delegate to sit in the Federation Assembly, and agrees to be subject to the Federation's laws. This may mean incorporating new legal practices, adopting new standards of weights and measurements, a change to the native economic model, and new customs procedures. Starfleet, not the native military, becomes responsible for the protection of the new member world.

Theoretically, a member planet may cut its ties with the organisation. It is a federation, not a union, so leaving is permitted, but must come from a formal request by that planet's Assembly delegate, and then ratified by a two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly. Leaving by any other means is considered illegal secession. Although rare, illegal secession of a member world has occurred in past, most notably Vulcan for a brief period in 2413.

The Neo-Essentialist crisis had no legal precedence in Federation jurisprudence. However, its aftermath is exposing deep divisions within both the Federation Assembly and Council, as many worlds seek to curb Human political power in both the government and in Starfleet.