Ferengi Alliance
From Holowiki
| Ferengi Aliance | |
 | |
| Type of Government: | Capitalist Plutocracy |
| Ruling Body: | Grand Nagus |
| Capital: | Ferenginar |
| Dominant Species: | Ferengi |
| Military Organization: | Ferengi Military |
Contents |
Cultural and Historical Overview
The Ferengi Alliance established themselves in a relatively short time-frame as a strong economical empire. They formed the basis of their existence on the accumulation of wealth of power, and leveraged their wealth to attain technology. Rather than invest resources into the development of technology, they were able to acquire it from other galactic powers. Whether this was accomplished by deceit, fraud or traditional bartering is unclear, as the culture, being diverse and rather idiosyncratic is still a relative mystery, as is their method of exo-cultural interaction, though they do possess a wide network of trade and commerce relationships with neighboring species and empires.
First recognized, diplomatic contact with the Federation took place in the Delphi Ardu system in early 2364, when a Ferengi Marauder came head to head with a Galaxy Class ship. Diplomatic misunderstandings were narrowly avoided in the incident, but relations between the two powers were uneasy for the following few years.
Agencies and Institutions
Despite a strong spirit of laissez-faire regarding commerce, the Alliance maintains numerous agencies to regulate Ferengi business and trade. Though ostensibly created to oversee Ferengi business practices and ensure adherence to regulation, these agencies appear to be constructed as much to create opportunities for graft, bribery and corruption as any legitimate purpose.
The Ferengi Commerce Authority
The Ferengi Commerce Authority (or FCA) is an agency of the Alliance concerned with business practices and the enforcement of trade under Ferengi Trade By-Laws and Codes. Agents of the FCA are known as Liquidators, led by the Board of Liquidators, all of whose offices are located on the 40th floor of the Tower of Commerce in the Sacred Marketplace on Ferenginar.
The Ferengi Trade Mission
While the FCA primarily regulates business dealings among Ferengi, the Ferengi Trade Mission furthers Ferengi governmental business interests with other species.
The Ferengi Health Commission
The Ferengi Health Commission oversees health regulations in Ferengi businesses and public life and has the ability to revoke a Ferengi's trade license.
The Ferengi Gaming Commission
The Ferengi Gaming Commission regulates all gambling ventures within the Alliance.
Politics
Domestically, advancement in Ferengi government is based on bribery and patronage. A Ferengi who aspires to a higher position in any government agency, in particular the FCA, is expected to earn a large profit not just for himself but for his superiors. Even seeking an audience with a senior government official requires a donation of latinum.
Generally, the Ferengi Alliance stays neutral in the politics of the galaxy, since the Ferengi are solely interested in profit and making enemies diminishes possible business opportunities. In the spirit of free enterprise, most Ferengi business ventures are made without the knowledge of the government. As a result, while a number of hostile conflicts occurred between the Federation and the Ferengi in the 2360s, the Ferengi Alliance itself was not considered responsible.
The official practice of neutrality has not guaranteed the Alliance favorable relations with all races. The Klingons are known to despise Ferengi in almost all circumstances, despite no history of bad relations between the two governments. And Vulcans, considered an evolved species, have proven sufficiently difficult for the Ferengi to maintain smooth relations with that a warning for dealing with them is codified in the Rules of Acquisition.
Even as a neutral power, the economic might of the Ferengi Alliance has given them significant influence in the galaxy.
