I read someone’s article on how the Federation is actually a military dictatorship. Military courts trying people for genetic engineering (like Bashir’s parents), sentencing people to spacing in various movies just based on captain’s word, that Starfleet admirals (just a few together) could take over the WHOLE federation.
I have difficulty enjoying Star Trek as I used to, because I look at exactly those types of things and see them differently now.
Sometimes ignorance IS bliss.