Heh, yeah, of course. The Federation helps to encourage trade and peaceful relationships between planets, exchanging goods and cultures. It also offers protection against others who are less friendly - like the Klingons.
[ His mouth twitches at that, curling into a little smile. ]
Well, I think so. My job is to explore unknown space, claimed by no one, and discover new planets and species and widen our knowledge of the universe. You never know what you'll find at every new star.