The idea that the only safe and sure way to destroy your enemy is to make him your friend
is one of the foundational pillars upon which the United Federation of Planets is based.
But how far might they be willing to take this philosophy?
The Federation is no stranger to hostile foreign powers, nevertheless with the Xindi, Romulans,
Klingons, Cardassians and others, the potential for a constructive relationship was always
there, even if it wasn’t realized right away.
The Borg Collective, though, stands apart.
They're unlike any threat the Federation has ever faced, not interested in political conquest,
wealth or power as it is traditionally understood.
But if the circumstances arose, could the Borg be accepted as a Federation member?
Well, recent events have made that very question of critical importance and the answer has
the potential to fundamentally alter the balance of power in
the galaxy.
Now for the moment we lack several key details, notably whether this request was made on behalf
of the entire Borg Collective, or perhaps just a splinter group within it.
For the purposes of this discussion though, let’s assume it is the entire collective
or at least a significant portion of it.
I think the key thing here is that Federation membership is not something that occurs overnight.
It is a prolonged process in which the effects of membership must be studied, both on the
civilization petitioning to join, and on the Federation itself.
Failing to do so has the potential to cause societal stress on one or the other, or both.
The first thing that must be determined is whether a prospective member is eligible to
join the Federation in the first place.
We don’t know the exact criteria used to judge this, beyond the development of a warp
engine enabling interstellar travel, but I can make some guesses.
To be accepted into the Federation, a world would likely require a unified government
that represents all its citizenry, which in turn possesses stable institutions guaranteeing
democracy, the rule of law, sapient rights, and the protection of minorities.
It would also need to withstand the external pressures of Federation membership, and accept
the loss of some of its sovereignty in exchange for the rights and responsibilities that membership
would bestow.
So do the Borg meet these criteria?
Almost certainly not.
Everything about the Borg is completely antithetical to these values and ideals held by the Federation.
If the Borg were to embrace them, it would likely mean the destruction of the collective.
But there’s other considerations as well.
For centuries the Borg have destroyed countless civilizations across the Delta Quadrant and
are likely in the process of assimilating countless more.
If the Federation were to admit the Borg, would they not become complicit in these efforts?
The fact that the Borg in this case requested “provisional membership” makes this even
more complicated.
To go through the enormous effort of accommodating the Borg under the assumption this might all
be undone later, is likely to be disastrous for both.
What if the Borg, as a condition of joining the Federation, granted individual liberty
to their drones, only to revoke this upon their exit?
The potential for lasting societal damage cannot be overstated.
Personally, I don’t understand the need for the Borg to be admitted as members in
the first place.
Federation membership is the most grandiose form of diplomacy, and would come only after
several other types of treaties were signed first.
Trust, after all, takes time.
A non-aggression pact of some sort would be a more reasonable first step.
That said, the Federation has never shied away from the impossible, and if any organization
can find a way to incorporate the Borg into a mutually beneficial relationship, I am sure
it is them.
But the process has to be a lengthy one.
This is an unprecedented development and the Federation should not rush into any decision
before the ramifications of that decision are wholly understood.
To admit the Borg without a sustained period of study would be negligent on the part of
the Federation Council.