Star Trek

Note:  This is NOT a vote for your favorite captain poll.

The Prime Directive, also known as Starfleet General Order 1, is one of Starfleet's most important binding principles about noninterference in another culture's internal affairs, natural development and progression. The Prime Directive forbids Starfleet officers from interfering with the social order of any planet. (TNG: "Half a Life") Violation of the Prime Directive is generally considered a court martial offense followed by severe punishment unless sufficient justification can be made for the violation. Even though there have been incidents where Starfleet personnel have decided on strong ethical grounds to ignore the Prime Directive, on the whole it is believed to do a lot more good than harm. (TNG: "Justice", VOY: "Prime Factors")

"The Prime Directive is not just a set of rules; it is a philosophy... and a very correct one. History has proven again and again that whenever mankind interferes with a less developed civilization, no matter how well intentioned that interference may be, the results are invariably disastrous."- Captain Picard

I think all of the captains understood the Prime Directive well and tried to live by it.  I also believe that all the captains realized that there are exceptions to every rule and that blindly following the PD was not always the best option.  I'd have to do a little digging to come up with some examples, but I think it's safe to say that all the captains always had the PD in the back of their minds, but also used their own judgement to find solutions to the problems they came across.

I really like the idea of the Prime Directive - we can see in this world how so many major mistakes are made nowadays when government try to influence another society.

Although Sisko is my favorite captain, I think that Picard upheld the Prime Directive more as it was closer to his heart than anyone else and kept it in mind with his decision making.

If you listen to how all the captains talk it feels as if Picard mentions the PD at least once an episode if not more while the other captains are more ruled by their feelings or concerns about other's perception.

Sisko didn't stand a chance being on the edge of a wormhole, and constantly confronted with unknown variables perminately within his own station, let alone just a starship created 'close knit community.' Being in that type of situation, on a fixed station, doesn't really allow him to use the PD as often as one on a starship going from place to place. They were too interwined with the one planet/area.

Not in "The Apple".

Picard definatly

^that. 

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