DS9: Currency and the Federation
DS9: Currency and the Federation
In TNG, Picard says that the Federation has evolved past a need for money. Indeed, we never see any.
In DS9 though, Quark talks a lot about bar tabs and costs. Surely O'Brien and Bashir don't get free drinks, so how do they pay? I'd assume that any Ferengi worth his lobes won't accept anything that can be replicated, so do Federation officers get a stipend of tradeable "value" when interacting with cultures that still expect payment?
I think there's also a reference to Quark paying rent to Sisko for running the bar. Presumably that's denominated in latinum. I wonder where it goes? Maybe the secret "Garak black ops" fund.
I always assumed the rent went to the Bajorans. After all, it’s their station, Sisko just runs it for them.
As for the bar tabs, I don’t think they ever really explained how starfleet officers paid for stuff on DS9. I always just assumed they had some kind of credit account through Starfleet or something when they were posted there.
I'm 99% certain quark wasn't paying rent after the federation took over? Wasn't there some point where he started getting pissy about something and Sisko threatened to start charging rent?
That happened at least once, when Quark's employees formed a union and went on strike. I believe Sisko went to that well a number of times when Quark crossed a line or refused to do something important.
Really, it makes sense. Quark is profiting hugely from the Federation's willingness to not only give him a bunch of business but also not collect on some key expenses. That's a great business arrangement, but also gives the Federation leverage over someone they wouldn't otherwise have any trust in.
As for the bar tabs, I don’t think they ever really explained how starfleet officers paid for stuff on DS9. I always just assumed they had some kind of credit account through Starfleet or something when they were posted there.
They probably do, since the Federation deals with civilisations that use money on the regular. They likely have an allowance/stipend specifically for that.
"Farpoint Station" has Dr Crusher ask for some cloth to be put on her tab on the Enterprise, so DS9 isn't the only station using a similar system, which might be the same system, it's just that Quark's is a Ferengi business on a Bajoran station, so the issue comes up more often compared to someone who might be living on a starship, or on Earth Spacedock.
Quark doesn't pay rent for the bar, Sisco mentions this at one point when Quark is trying to sell weapons via the holodeck. Because he's annoyed with him he points out that he doesn't pay rent and he doesn't pay taxes and the federation let him get away with a lot, but there is a line.
Yeah. I kind of feel like Quark takes as much per diem from Federation officers as possible in exchange for no rent or tax. It isn't like the Federation is asking for top shelf liquor, so this is a quid pro quo for him.
It is like giving Damar whatever top shelf liquor he wanted if it meant keeping the Cardassians on DS9 happy.
They get a per diem of like 2 slips of latinum specifically while on the station. This is mentioned in one of the first season episodes.
Having watched DS9 several times, I've never noticed this. Now I must find this reference...
I only caught it this last time I watched it from start to finish because I, too, had questioned how they pay for stuff. I mean, the holodeck they have allotted time for which was part of the deal Sisko made to keep Quark on the station for morale (and info), but they also drink at the bar and play Dabo. Those definitely couldn't be just gratis lol
I think the officers do get some form of stipend. I can't recall if this was mentioned directly in the show though.
Do we know if any Federation members use money?
To my knowledge the federation is completely post monetary. But, we do see individual people who in it that use money. Riker mentioned a few times owing debts or being owed debts from card games and the like, iirc. I think it's largely a personal choice, as money is unnecessary in their society. Nothing that matters has a monetary cost, like shelter, food, etc. And luxuries within the federation itself seem to also be free at the point of use, but I think there is some kind of credit system in use. Sisko mentions using up a months worth of transporter credits to come home for dinner during his time at the academy, if I'm remembering right.
Given the whole schtick of being a post capitalist, but not quite fully communist, society that the franchise has, combined with my personal knowledge of various socialist ideas around transitionary societies, my best guess is that they function off a form of labor voucher. Non transferable credits to be used for whatever goods are restricted or scarce. But with some kind of loophole around the transferability when it comes to dealing with non federation members who still use money.
Bolarus has an operational bank (which Morn robbed) and Crusher pasys with Federation Credits in Mission Farpoint.
Also note that it's called New Earth Economy. It's earth that has no money.
My working theory is that Federation Economists make a distinction between a monetary system and a credit system. Credits can buy food, clothing, shelter, and nice things to enjoy. Money does all that, as well, but also can be invested with the hope of making more money than you started with. There is no Federation stock market.