Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starfleet

[chrinFinity]

Hello,

Can anyone shed light on if the Prime Directive is

a) a law of the Federation, which applies to all Federation citizens, and can be enforced with punitive measures if a Citizen engages in inappropriate First Contacts, or,

b) simply the guiding regulation of Starfleet dictating how Officers must behave?

I'm gathering research for an article wherein I hope to demonstrate that the Federation is much more in line with a Libertarian society operating under a Resource-based ecnonomy, as opposed to the collectivist socialist society which most people seem to assume it is.

In light of this, your perspectives to be offered on the Prime Directive would be most appreciated. Thank you

 

[MacLeod]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

The PD (as it applies to starfleet officers) might also include Federation officials, Ambassadors, Commisioners, Council members etc...

 

[chrinFinity]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

What about me, non-Starfleet, non-diplomatic, regular private citizen of the Federation, purchasing a civillian ship, employing my own crew, and flying off to introduce myself to a pre-warp civilization in or nearby Federation space?

 

[BillJ]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

What about me, non-Starfleet, non-diplomatic, regular private citizen of the Federation, purchasing a civillian ship, employing my own crew, and flying off to introduce myself to a pre-warp civilization in or nearby Federation space?

Civilians probably have something similar they have to follow but it probably has a different name.

 

[SchwEnt]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

Naw, it's only for members of Star Fleet and perhaps UFP officials. The Prime Directive is known as General Order Number One, and I don't believe Federations citizens live under a set of General Orders.

Anyway, the matter was clarified by Data in "Angel One".
The Enterprise tracked down the crew of the freighter Odin who were on Angel One. Data plainly states the crew were not members of Star Fleet and thus not bound by General Order Number One. So there you go.

Of course, this would suggest Federation citizens (or really, anyone non-Star Fleet) can go about to pre-warp planets and start proclaiming themselves gods or otherwise commandeering planets through superior technology. The Ferengi even did it in a "VOY" eps. Who is to stop them?
What if there are people like Worf's brother Nikolai who want to go around messing with other societies?

Maybe there is a civilian equivalent to Star Fleet General Order #1 we haven't heard of.

 

[CoveTom]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

As SchwEnt says, it's been plainly stated in dialogue that the Prime Directive does not apply to Federation citizens who are not Starfleet officers. And in that same dialogue, nothing is said about an equivalent law that covers civilians. It seems to make it quite clear there's nothing Starfleet can do about civilians who get involved with other worlds. Additionally, the Prime Directive is referred to in dialogue as Starfleet's General Order # 1. A Starfleet general order would not apply to citizens who are not in Starfleet.

 

[BillJ]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

As SchwEnt says, it's been plainly stated in dialogue that the Prime Directive does not apply to Federation citizens who are not Starfleet officers. And in that same dialogue, nothing is said about an equivalent law that covers civilians. It seems to make it quite clear there's nothing Starfleet can do about civilians who get involved with other worlds. Additionally, the Prime Directive is referred to in dialogue as Starfleet's General Order # 1. A Starfleet general order would not apply to citizens who are not in Starfleet.

Nothing that Starfleet can do? I agree. Doesn't mean that laws don't exist that civilian authorities can pursue.

 

[chrinFinity]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

This strikes me as something that would be a real problem.

 

[Timo]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

a) a law of the Federation, which applies to all Federation citizens, and can be enforced with punitive measures if a Citizen engages in inappropriate First Contacts

One vote for this, from TOS "Bread and Circuses". There, a person who was supposedly flushed out of Starfleet is suspected of having tampered with a pre-starflight society under the alias Merikus, and Kirk has this to say:

"...wherever we may be from, you must believe that it is one of our most important laws that none of us interfere with the affairs of others. If Captain Merrick is Merikus, then he has violated that law, and he must be taken away and punished."

Since we are led to believe that Captain Merrick is a civilian skipper (flushed out of SF Academy, commands a vessel dubbed "SS Beagle" rather than "USS Beagle", is not the commander of a "starship"), then Kirk's "us" seems to encompass Starfleet and civilian people alike. Or at least Starfleet and civilian commanding officers of stargoing vessels!

b) simply the guiding regulation of Starfleet dictating how Officers must behave?

One vote for this, too. In TNG "Angel One", some civilian crew of freighter Odin get stranded on a world that is already in contact with the interstellar community and perfectly aware of aliens, but Data has this to say:

"The Odin was not a starship, which means her crew is not bound by the Prime Directive. If he and the others wish to stay here, there is absolutely nothing we can do about it."

This seems to be in direct contradiction with the TOS example, as SS Beagle and SS Odin do not appear dissimilar, and Captain Merrick and Mister Ramsey appear alike as well. Or does the difference lie in Merrick being the responsible commanding officer of his vessel, while Ramsey is just a random crewman?

Save for these two incompatible pieces of dialogue, we have zero clear-cut cases where a civilian would be charged with civilization tampering as such. Our heroes occasionally pursue tamperers, but they are never charged with violating the Prime Directive or even taken into custody; the heroes manage to find other ways to undo or minimize the possible damage caused by the interference, these often involving the convenient death of the miscreant in the hands of the people he tampered with.

The weight of the evidence seems to go against the PD being a universal law. After all, Starfleet can't be everywhere and doesn't appear to make the effort - and people who are neither Starfleet nor Federation citizens are rampaging through the universe anyway, making it absolutely futile to maintain "sanctuaries" by regulating mere SF and UFP interference.

Additionally, the Prime Directive is referred to in dialogue as Starfleet's General Order # 1. A Starfleet general order would not apply to citizens who are not in Starfleet.

Or, alternately, the Prime Directive is one of the many Directives that form UFP civilian law, and Starfleet General Order #1 states "Our squeaky-clean officers must uphold the Prime Directive, use a polite turn of phrase, and wear a clean uniform", among other things. There would definitely be a call for military regulations that reaffirm the adherence to certain pieces of civilian legislation - because in many cases, the military is exempt from key civilian rules, such as "killing is naughty" or "discharging a firearm is only allowed on select locations and in certain situations listed here".

Doesn't mean that laws don't exist that civilian authorities can pursue.

The thing is, we lack evidence of the existence of civilian authorities. As far as we can tell, the military is the sole law enforcement party in the UFP. Which has been a favored system in many a reasonably benevolent democracy of late, and doesn't necessarily mean the Admiralty eats babies for breakfast.

In contrast, we could argue that the Prime Directive exists solely as a safeguard against Starfleet abusing its powers. It need not have anything to do with the protecting of primitive worlds from outside influences, but may instead have everything to do with preventing starship captains from doing all the things they are in practice capable of doing, i.e. playing god. We have seen time and again that the UFP can and will contact primitive worlds and influence their affairs. It's just that a starship captain, out of proper contact with his or her superiors (ultimately, the civilian government of the UFP), is not allowed to do these things.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[T'Girl]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

This seems to be in direct contradiction with the TOS example, as SS Beagle and SS Odin do not appear dissimilar...

There is the consideration that they are a century apart, and laws do change.

As far as we can tell, the military is the sole law enforcement party in the UFP.

Kirk was able do formal hearings on both Khan and Harry Mudd. Both civilians.

 

[Timo]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

And he was able to marry Tomlinson and Martine. Perhaps starship captains are also justices of peace?

There is the consideration that they are a century apart, and laws do change.

There is also the lack of further TOS evidence that Kirk would prosecute civilians for PD violations. Perhaps Kirk was just plain lying to Septimus when saying that Merrick/Merikus was a criminal who would face Federation justice? Perhaps the guy was merely an evildoer, but would go free even if the UFP caught up with him, and Kirk didn't want Septimus to hear this.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[R. Star]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

A relevant example seems to be "Homeward" in TNG. Worf's human brother Nicolai saves a prewarp civiliation who's planet was gonna blow by beaming them onto the Enterprise.

Picard read him the riot act over it, but didn't have him arrested or anything.

 

[Sci]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

The thing is, we lack evidence of the existence of civilian authorities. As far as we can tell, the military is the sole law enforcement party in the UFP.

False. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock established the existence of Federation Security, a civilian law enforcement agency that arrested Doctor McCoy for trying to illegally brocker passage to the Genesis Planet. And DS9's "The Ascent" established the existence of a Federation civilian judicial system featuring grand juries.

* * *

Bear in mind that "Angel One" does not establish whether or not separate laws barring Federation civilians from contacting pre-warp societies exist -- only that there's no law against Federation citizens emigrating to post-warp societies and advocating for social change on those worlds.

DS9's "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges" establishes that the Federation Charter has a prohibition on UFP interference in the internal affairs of foreign states.

 

[R. Star]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

The thing is, we lack evidence of the existence of civilian authorities. As far as we can tell, the military is the sole law enforcement party in the UFP.

False. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock established the existence of Federation Security, a civilian law enforcement agency that arrested Doctor McCoy for trying to illegally brocker passage to the Genesis Planet. And DS9's "The Ascent" established the existence of a Federation civilian judicial system featuring grand juries.

* * *

Bear in mind that "Angel One" does not establish whether or not separate laws barring Federation civilians from contacting pre-warp societies exist -- only that there's no law against Federation citizens emigrating to post-warp societies and advocating for social change on those worlds.

DS9's "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges" establishes that the Federation Charter has a prohibition on UFP interference in the internal affairs of foreign states.

To STIII, being McCoy was immediately thrown into a Starfleet prison facility rather than some civillian one suggests that the man who arrested him was Starfleet. Federation and Starfleet are often used interchangibly. Certainly if Genesis was as classified as all that do you think Starfleet is going to give the details of that to a civillian agency?

The Ascent was an interesting episode in that it did mention a Federation grand jury. It didn't mention specificly if it was Starfleet or not and as we never saw the hearing, we really don't know. For all we know Starfleet courts charging civillians(since when was Quark subject to Federation subpeonas anyways?) do operate using grand juries.

As for IAESL, that noninterference clause has been broken on numerous occasions when circumstances warrant it. Like in that episode.

 

[Sci]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

[
To STIII, being McCoy was immediately thrown into a Starfleet prison facility rather than some civillian one suggests that the man who arrested him was Starfleet.

No, it suggests that he was transferred to a Starfleet facility because he is a Starfleet officer. If the arresting officer was from Starfleet, he would have said "Starfleet Security" rather than "Federation Security."

Certainly if Genesis was as classified as all that do you think Starfleet is going to give the details of that to a civillian agency?

By that logic, no one in the FBI would ever be involved in counter-espionage.

Besides, the fact of the Genesis Planet's existence is not something you could hide -- all anyone would have to do is aim a subspace telescope at the location of the former Mutara Nebula. So the existence of the Genesis Planet couldn't possibly be hidden, only the details of its origins -- and even hiding the details of its origins is problematic. Remember, the Klingons knew how it was created and were quite willing to share that information at Kirk's court-martial before the Federation Council, so there's no reason to think the Klingon Empire couldn't or didn't release that information.

All of which is besides the point, anyway -- travel to the Genesis Planet can easily be banned, and a civilian Federation law enforcement agency be tasked with enforcing that ban, without details about the planet being released to that agency.

The Ascent was an interesting episode in that it did mention a Federation grand jury. It didn't mention specificly if it was Starfleet or not and as we never saw the hearing, we really don't know.

Starfleet doesn't have grand juries, it has courts-martial. A grand jury is by definition a civilian judicial institution.

(since when was Quark subject to Federation subpeonas anyways?)

Quark was initially arrested by Odo in "The Ascent" to be handed over to the Federation grand jury on Inferna Prime, indicating that the Bajoran government has entered into an extradition treaty with the UFP. Only later in the episode did we find out Quark was to be a witness rather than a defendant -- presumably meaning the request for his arrest was made by the Federation to the Bajorans as an intimidation tactic, perhaps to illustrate that he could face charges, too, and that Bajor would not protect him. But either way, an extradition treaty is more than enough for Quark to be subject to the Federation judicial system if he violates Federation law while in its territory.

As for IAESL, that noninterference clause has been broken on numerous occasions when circumstances warrant it. Like in that episode.

Well, the interference in that episode was clearly illegal. We don't know the details about the Federation Charter's non-interference directive, so we don't know when it has or has not been broken in other episodes.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

Since we are led to believe that Captain Merrick is a civilian skipper (flushed out of SF Academy, commands a vessel dubbed "SS Beagle" rather than "USS Beagle", is not the commander of a "starship"), then Kirk's "us" seems to encompass Starfleet and civilian people alike. Or at least Starfleet and civilian commanding officers of stargoing vessels!

Or perhaps the PD applies to everyone who is or ever was in Starfleet. Merrick, who attended the Academy but did not graduate, would thus qualify.

Although I find it more likely that Kirk was just engaging in hyperbole for Claudius Marcus' benefit.

Side note: Merrick's ship may not have been Starfleet, but neither was it wholly civilian. It was described as Federation Merchant Marines. So while he wasn't in the military, Merrick did still serve the Federation in some degree. So there's your reason!

 

[T'Girl]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

Starfleet doesn't have grand juries, it has courts-martial. A grand jury is by definition a civilian judicial institution.

The military equivalent of grand jury is called a article thirty-two hearing. Different name, but same function.

This is not a courts-martial.

 

[Sci]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

Starfleet doesn't have grand juries, it has courts-martial. A grand jury is by definition a civilian judicial institution.

The military equivalent of grand jury is called a article thirty-two hearing. Different name, but same function.

And it was called a grand jury, not an article thirty-two hearing.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

Speaking of juries: Did Hamilton Burger ever win a case?

 

[Silvercrest]

Re: Prime Directive: applies to all Fed Citizens as law, or just Starf

Naw, it's only for members of Star Fleet and perhaps UFP officials. The Prime Directive is known as General Order Number One, and I don't believe Federations citizens live under a set of General Orders.

Anyway, the matter was clarified by Data in "Angel One".
The Enterprise tracked down the crew of the freighter Odin who were on Angel One. Data plainly states the crew were not members of Star Fleet and thus not bound by General Order Number One. So there you go.

Of course, this would suggest Federation citizens (or really, anyone non-Star Fleet) can go about to pre-warp planets and start proclaiming themselves gods or otherwise commandeering planets through superior technology. The Ferengi even did it in a "VOY" eps. Who is to stop them?
What if there are people like Worf's brother Nikolai who want to go around messing with other societies?

Maybe there is a civilian equivalent to Star Fleet General Order #1 we haven't heard of.

As SchwEnt says, it's been plainly stated in dialogue that the Prime Directive does not apply to Federation citizens who are not Starfleet officers. And in that same dialogue, nothing is said about an equivalent law that covers civilians. It seems to make it quite clear there's nothing Starfleet can do about civilians who get involved with other worlds. Additionally, the Prime Directive is referred to in dialogue as Starfleet's General Order # 1. A Starfleet general order would not apply to citizens who are not in Starfleet.

Here's a thought.

It may be that Federation civilians are restricted from flying outside Federation space or at least require specific authorization to do so. Maybe you have to file a flight plan to Sector 123 for a specific purpose before they'll let you go.

This makes sense just for practical reasons, even aside from the Prime Directive. You wouldn't want Joe Civilian Smith to make casual contact with new civilizations and inadvertently plunge the Federation into war. (Civilian ships that get the authorization are probably required to carry diplomatic personnel, or representative Starfleet personnel, just in case.)

If so, it would normally be illegal for civilians to be in a position to make first contact, whether they did so or not, or whether it was prewarp or not. It's not an equivalent law to the Prime Directive, either. They'd be prosecuted for violating Federation borders or some such thing.

That means Starfleet are the only ones normally authorized to be out there, so of course all references to General Order One mean Starfleet specifically.

Presumably any time we see civilians who are someplace they shouldn't be, we can expect that they'll be charged, or fined, for their transgressions after the episode is over.

Have we observed any situations that this theory doesn't cover?