That Bajor doesn't join during the series...

[Trekker09]

Guess we’ll never know exactly why Behr was so adamant about Bajor not joining the UFP - why he implied that was THE essential point of the show. Maybe he was being flippant, exaggerating for effect, Maybe he needed to downplay the Sisko-as-god aspect. Maybe he was emphasizing the shadow side of the Federation, Section 31 etc-- so becoming a member wasn’t the ideal it had been in previous series. Maybe he affirmed it as separation of church and state. Maybe it just boils down to maintaining cultural diversity.

 

[dupersuper]

Sure there is. It is to feel independent and control of their own destiny. It's not just, "Oh, we need resources." There is pride, and independence

Just to play devil's advocate: those are emotional reasons, not logical ones.

 

[fireproof78]

Just to play devil's advocate: those are emotional reasons, not logical ones.

I believe I alluded to that in my post. If not, I'll clarify. Logic is not the only decision making process and emotional needs ought to be acknowledged as part of the process.