Why Ferengi are better than Klingons

In Star Trek (TNG, DS9, VOY), the Federation deals with both Klingons and Ferengi. In TNG the Ferengi were essentially comic villains but they become more substantial later.

Neither the Klingons nor the Ferengi agree with the Federation's values. The Klingons are into violence and conquest. Also, your status depends not only on what you do and achieve but on your family; you are held responsible for what your forebears did. This obviously conflicts with the Federation's values of peace, self-determination, non-interference, and individual rights. The Ferengi, on the other hand, are essentially peaceful, but whereas the Klingons' civilization is based on an idea of honour, the Ferengi have a completely capitalist society based on profit as the supreme value—in contrast to the Federation's post-capitalist non-monetary economy.[1]

It's notable that (from TNG on) the Klingons are treated with respect. They are, of course, allies of the Federation, but members of Starfleet show respect for their culture and society—overall—and occasionally participate in it with a degree of pride. Fair enough.

But members of the Federation treat the Ferengi with dislike and disapproval. As Quark complains, "You talk about tolerance and understanding but you only practise it toward people who remind you of yourselves. Because you disapprove of Ferengi values, you scorn us, distrust us, insult us every chance you get." ("The Jem'Hadar", DS9) Commander Sisko does show a certain amount of acceptance, telling Jake that if he is going to be friends with Nog, a Ferengi, he has to accept that Nog will have Ferengi values. But even he pushes Quark around by threatening arbitrary obstruction of his business. Ferengi society exists on the Deep Space Nine station only on sufferance. By contrast Klingon society is treated with respect unless it actively breaks local law.

Dax likes the Ferengi, even though she has a lot of experience of Klingon culture:
Major Kira: They're greedy, misogynistic, untrustworthy little trolls and I wouldn't turn my back on one of them for a second.
Dax: Neither would I. But once you accept that, you'll find they can be a lot of fun. ("Rules of Acquisistion", DS9)

Quark makes an important protest on one occasion: "The way I see it, humans used to be a lot like Ferengi. Greedy, acquisitive, interested only in profit. We're a constant reminder of a part of your past you'd like to forget... But you're overlooking something. Humans used to be a lot worse than the Ferengi. Slavery, concentration camps, interstellar wars. We have nothing in our past that approaches that kind of barbarism. You see? We're nothing like you. We're better."

Quark's point draws attention to the ways in which humanity has, and has not, changed in the Star Trek world. Capitalism has indeed been left behind. While it's not quite clear how the economy works (some sort of utopian socialism perhaps), it is definitely the case that profit and acquisition no longer motivates people. So, as Quark says, the Ferengi emphasise something which used to be an aspect of human culture but has been rejected. The society of the Federation has not, however, left behind status, and (despite its protestations) its Star Fleet looks essentially parallel to the fleets of the Klingons or Romulans, a military force.[2] Although there clearly are differences from Klingon culture, there are points of contact.

But we have to ask ourselves: given the Federation's aspirations, why are they so attracted to a culture that denies these aspirations? Why are they rather proud of taking part in the violence and (by Federation standards) injustice of the Klingons while they would never dream of taking part in Ferengi culture?[3] There is a good case that the negatives of Ferengi society are, from a human/Federation point of view, less serious than those of Klingon society. Whether or not the Ferengi are, as Quark claims, better than humans, surely from a human point of view they are better than Klingons?

The biggest blot on the Ferengi's record is their treatment of their females. However, this is seldom raised as an issue by members of the Federation, and in fact by the end of DS9 the Ferengi are reforming their gender relations when they realize the traditional rules are actually an obstacle to profit.

The Federation is entitled to disparage Ferengi capitalism, but there is a problem in doing so while celebrating Klingon violence, which is worse. Of course, the Federation may want to flatter their ally, but that's not very glorious. In conclusion: there's a very good case that Ferengi are better than Klingons.