David Johnson wrote:

> Perhaps, though if that were the case wouldn't we expect folks on
> colonial worlds to be a bit more . . . ambivalent about Federation
> forces? Surely most folks are clever enough to recognize that their
> own aspirations for autonomy and freedom might look like "rebellion"
> or "despotism" back on Terra.

Consider time lag. By the time Federation leadership learns of
rebellion/despotism, a minimum of six months has passed. Then assembling
resources and vessel travel time adds at least another six months to the
schedule.

The Federation is far too centralized to work effectively.

Even the later empires are overly centralized.