The Ferengi could have worked as a serious threat to the Federation but only with some tweaks.
We can keep the Ferengi as originally portrayed in the early seasons of TNG. However, they would have needed to be established as members of an Elite class that oversees all aspects of Ferengi life. Additionally, the Ferengi would have realized long ago that their species is not physically up to the task of conquest or even self defense, so they have a slave class made up of other species. The most powerful of this class serve as soldiers on the homeworld and Ferengi starships.
Conquest, slavery and conscription would go a long way toward making the Ferengi a more dangerous and loathsome species. Add the militant greed and sexism and you've got a stark contrast to the values of the Federation.
We can keep the Ferengi as originally portrayed in the early seasons of TNG. However, they would have needed to be established as members of an Elite class that oversees all aspects of Ferengi life. Additionally, the Ferengi would have realized long ago that their species is not physically up to the task of conquest or even self defense, so they have a slave class made up of other species. The most powerful of this class serve as soldiers on the homeworld and Ferengi starships.
Conquest, slavery and conscription would go a long way toward making the Ferengi a more dangerous and loathsome species. Add the militant greed and sexism and you've got a stark contrast to the values of the Federation.
