Would be nice if, in finally ONE of the idiotic series of “socialism in space” series... someone finally writes in HOW the Federation is able to make... starships, high tech, energy derivation, mineral rights with planets... by PRIVATE business interests that aren’t relegated to the “Ferengi” (the metaphorical jews of the universe... literally with all kinds of assumptive stereotypical behaviour of those “nasty” jews in the characters... including that nasty “profit” motive and result).
Also, just why in HELL would anyone join the Federation “military” other than to enrich themselves. None of this “do it for the benefit of the prime directive” joke.
Why this is one of the most idiotic series ever written. At least “Dune” got it right- with a Guild, the “Spice” (analogous to oil) and a semblance of Euro-monarchical constructs.
A - it’s never really been socialism, they have currency.
B - they also have replicators, which drastically changes the economics. You don’t need most people to have jobs, most people don’t need jobs, most cool stuff (like star ship parts) can be had for free.
People join Star Fleet to have something to do. Kind of like signing on for colony ships only with central air.