system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[Star Trek] Why is the Federation always behind?

It seems like whenever the Federation meets a new adversary they're boned from the beginning. You'd think with how much exploring, scientific knowledge, and multitude of cultures an organization like the Federation has they would be much better off then single race empires like the Klingons or Romulans. So why are they always getting out teched from the very beginning every time?

I know that The federation is supposed to be more peaceful, but they have hundreds of species working towards a common goal. Then they encounter the Cardassians, or Klingons and they fight these mono-race empires equally. Look at the Dominion or Borg, they have a similar advantage and just wrecked the Federation. So what gives, why's the Feds a bunch of pansies?
gpt
It's not that the Federation is technologically behind, it's just that the bulk of their scientific research is no longer geared towards warfare.

As a result, the Federation developed the transporter, the replicator, the holodeck, advanced surgical techniques, and numerous other advances beyond counting. They have virtually wiped out disease, hunger, poverty and crime. They live in an ideal society where nobody wants for anything, and all citizens are free to pursue their interests as they see fit.

If the cost of such a society is that we're the "pansies" of the galaxy, I'd take that deal any day.