The problem arises when the very people who are the citizens of such a federation become the objects of greed and become the resource themselves. This is the case with invading forces who would see those members as food and objects of exploitation. An example of this is the everpresent threat coming from the general region of Orion. This is why the Galactic Federation and all its steps and levels must be well organized to defend the interests and the very integrity of its citizens. And so it has delivered for a very long time.