Species of the week: Ferengi

Sionnach Glic · Post by **Sionnach Glic** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:00 pm

In TNG they were a different species. They were built up to be a big military threat. In DS9 they are only a minor power, with no martial abilities at all.

Post by **Mikey** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:34 pm

We had enough military threats in DS9. That's why I liked the latter-day Ferengi, when they weren't just being used as caricatures, although I don't think enouch was done with them. As a surreptitious and economic/social power, even if not in DIRECT opposition to the Federation, they could have had tremendous influence in the 'Trek milieu.

Sionnach Glic · Post by **Sionnach Glic** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:36 pm

Hmm, a good point.

Post by **Teaos** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:26 am

Why would they oppose anyone? Its not good business. Don't annoy one of the biggest powers in the galaxy. Thats why they had a deal with the Dominion.

Post by **Mikey** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:32 am

As I said, they were not in direct opposition to the Federation; however, to be somewhat antagonistic would certainly further the milieu and create plots - more so if such antagonism was practiced through economic and social manipulation rather than outright threat of warfare.

And... IIRC, the Dominion ended up AT WAR with the Federation. So, without even trying, everyone who sided with the Dominion DID end up in opposition to the Federation.

Post by **Teaos** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 3:04 am

Not at all. The Ferengi did have deals with The Dominion and the Federation and Starfleet didnt bother them.

I don't think the Ferengi are a very centeralised government. It is more of a lose coalition. Everyone looks out for themselves first and then for a species as a whole.

Captain Peabody · Post by **Captain Peabody** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 3:16 am

In my view, the Ferengi are really one of the major powers in the Quadrant, for one simple reason; they're basically involved in nearly all commerce in the known Galaxy. They're like a big interstellar Wall Street; while they may not be able to compete with big powers like the Federation militarily, the extent to which they're involved in all the major power's economies means that they could pretty much bankrupt any major power that decided to attack them. In the midst of a bunch of Fascist, Psychopatic Warriors, and Communists, the Ferengi are the glue that holds the various Galactic economies together....

Or it makes for a nice theory anyway. Whadday think?

Deepcrush · Post by **Deepcrush** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:06 pm

Sounds good to me.

Post by **Teaos** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:10 pm

While I do believe them powerful I dont think they are centeralized enough to really swing that power.

Also I doubt it could bring them to their knees so much as inconvenience them.

Sionnach Glic · Post by **Sionnach Glic** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:16 pm

Indeed, the Ferengi are far too dis-united to pose any major threat.

Post by **Mikey** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 3:16 pm

Interestingly enough, while the Ferengi seem to be decentralized - united politically only by the tenets of their faith as coded in the Rules of Acquisition - their government seems to be a weird sort of corruption of a constitutional monarchy... about as centralized as you can get!

Certainly, most Ferengi react with the same fear and awe to a visit with the Grand Nagus as many English commoners would to a vist from Henry VIII!

I think Capt. Peabody explained my own sentiments better than I have been able to. While I wouldn't call the Ferengi " the glue that holds the various Galactic economies together.... " because the Federation doesn't seem to have a conventional economy; the Romulans are isolated; the Klingons as a nation wouldn't treat with them; et. al., that economic involvement everywhere means a certain degree of power other than military might. Especially when it is backed by religious zeal, as the Ferengi system of econimics is.

Post by **Teaos** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 3:24 pm

The Grand nagus visiting would b more like Brad Pitt coming for dinner. Famous as hell but with no real power. The only power he does have is public opinion which itself is quite powerful.

DarkOmen · Post by **DarkOmen** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 4:25 pm

rofl... I hope the nagus doesn't visit me, I don't want to have to eat tubegrubs again

Post by **Mikey** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 4:28 pm

mebbe so, but I can't find a six-pack of Slug-O-Cola here in New Jersey.

Granitehewer · Post by **Granitehewer** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:14 pm

personally, i see the klingons as alot more hypocritical,than not dealing with the ferengi out of principle,am not just envisaging the house of Duras either, and also think that even when in 'isolation/self imposed exile' that the romulans may have utilised ferengi at some link in the chain for information gathering, perhaps involving minor races inc the yridians,with the ferengi as middlemen etc