Nitpick: What is an ally?

[Villager]

Is everyone who has friendly relations with the Federation an "ally"? I sometimes get that impression from the use of that word in Star Trek novels.

 

[Christopher]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allies

In everyday English usage, allies are people, groups, or states that have joined in an association for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out between them.

It's typically used to mean nations fighting on the same side in a war, or in a defense pact like NATO, but it has peacetime uses too. Essentially allies are nations or organizations that are part of an alliance -- a pact or partnership in service to common interests. It's generally more formal and goal-oriented than just being on friendly terms, but not as official or permanent a relationship as a federation or political union, because all the members retain independence and sovereignty.

 

[Captain Clark Terrell]

^I agree with this, as the Romulans were allies of the Federation and the Klingons during the Dominion War but weren't friendly with either party.

--Sran

 

[Deranged Nasat]

Essentially allies are nations or organizations that are part of an alliance -- a pact or partnership in service to common interests. It's generally more formal and goal-oriented than just being on friendly terms, but not as official or permanent a relationship as a federation or political union, because all the members retain independence and sovereignty.

Amusingly, it would mean that the Nalori Republic (which has an exclusive trading relationship with the UFP yet doesn't actually like it at all much) is an ally whereas Cort (determinedly neutral in galactic politics but clearly on friendly terms with the UFP) isn't.

 

[rfmcdpei]

Essentially allies are nations or organizations that are part of an alliance -- a pact or partnership in service to common interests. It's generally more formal and goal-oriented than just being on friendly terms, but not as official or permanent a relationship as a federation or political union, because all the members retain independence and sovereignty.

Amusingly, it would mean that the Nalori Republic (which has an exclusive trading relationship with the UFP yet doesn't actually like it at all much) is an ally whereas Cort (determinedly neutral in galactic politics but clearly on friendly terms with the UFP) isn't.

There's room for nuance. During the Cold War, neither Switzerland nor Sweden were technically Western allies, not being part of any of the major Euro-Atlantic alliances. Despite the lack of formal alliances, both countries probably could be counted as allies, by virtue of their domestic institutions, their patterns of trade and cultural exchanges, and their likely threat perceptions. (Apparently much Swedish-NATO cooperation occurred quietly, under the table.)

In the case of Cort, while the planet is apparently a legal neutral, I'd imagine that it would maintain a fair degree of friendliness with other powers. This might well include a certain degree of interoperability with friendly neighbours.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

^ Indeed, well put. It's just that it amuses me that using the above definition, Nalor is an ally and Cort isn't.

Regarding UFP/Triumvirate relations, we do of course see a fair few Boslics in Starfleet, but whether we point to the Federation having a substantial Boslic population or Cort being ideologically/socially compatible enough that its citizens are generally approved for sponsorship without much in the way of fuss, is up to us.