Prime Directive

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See also Prime Directive, a TOS novel

The Prime Directive (also known as the Prime Directive of Non-Interference or Non-Interference Directive) is the colloquial term for the Federation Starfleet's General Order One. The Prime Directive dictates that no Starfleet personnel may knowingly interfere with the natural progression of pre-warp civilizations.

[edit] Background

The origins of the Prime Directive originate with humanities first great exploration of the galaxy around them in the 2150s, with the Enterprise (NX-01). Although the Vulcans had developed their own non-interference directives in the 1870s, humans were not bound by these restrictions. (TOS novel: Strangers from the Sky)

In 2151, the Enterprise made contact with the Fazi and the Hipon on the planet Fazi. When Captain Jonathan Archer discovered that the Fazi were less developed than humans, he immediately wanted to begin to share technology and information with those people. However, persuasion from the Hipon, a more advanced species on the planet's southern continent, urged him not to proceed. Following advice from Subcommander T'Pol he decided not to share technology to allow the two races to communicate in an attempt to let the two races advance at their own rate. However, Archer decided that guidelines governing first contacts and cultural contamination were needed. (ENT novel: By the Book)

Even after the foundation of the Federation in 2161, no rules had been established to govern contact with other species, and during the 2160s their saw a number of cultural contaminations of pre-warp civilizations. The most notable case being the Horizon's visit to Sigma Iotia II. While the initial contact went well, an Horizon crewman left the book, "Chicago Mobs of the Twenties", behind on the planet. And over the next century, the Iotians modelled their civilization on the book. (TOS episode: "A Piece of the Action")

By the 2170s, it was decided by the Federation Council that actions needed to be taken and in 2175 the Resolution of Non-Interference was drafted and signed by all Federation members, and puts together a single philosophy to be adapted, and by the 2190s, the Prime Directive had came into force. (TNG novel: Double Helix: Double or Nothing)

The LUG Star Trek roleplaying book All Our Yesterdays: The Time Travel Sourcebook gives the Federation's adoption of the Prime Directive as occurring in the year 2220.

[edit] Applications

The philosophy of the Federation was all well and good, but a method needed to be adopted in order to measure the cultural development of a civilization. In the early 2200s, the (Doctor Alonzo Richter) Richter Scale of Culture was the chosen method to monitor a civilization's progress. (TOS novel: Prime Directive)

Elements within the Prime Directive prevented Starfleet officers from interfering in internal matters of other races. However, they were able to help in negotiating in a compromise so long as both sides agreed to it. (TOS video game: Judgment Rites)

The Prime Directive is a Starfleet regulation, however, and not a civil law. As a result, Federation civilians were legally allowed to engage in activities that would be considered violations of the Prime Directive were they in Starfleet. In 2364, several Federation citizens on the planet Angel I attempted to influence that world's matriarchal society to embrace a more egalitarian ideal; Federation Starfleet personnel on site determined that they could not force those civilians to refrain from influencing Angel One's society. (TNG episode: "Angel One.")

Equally, Lwaxana Troi, a Federation delegate with diplomatic immunity was able to persuade scientist Timicin to recosider his Kaelon commitments, in 2367. A 1,400 year-old absolute. (TNG episode: "Half a Life")

In 2368, the Directive was again in question, when J'naii pilot Soren wanted to break tradition and chose the female gender. Although influenced by mutual affection for William T. Riker of Starfleet; s/he made the decision hirself. And ultimately, accepted that hir mind be "reformed" back to one accepted by society. (TNG episode: "The Outcast")

[edit] External Links

• Prime Directive article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.