Ferengi Alliance
The Ferengi Alliance is the mercantile government of the Ferengi. The alliance of the Ferengi is dedicated to the promotion of profit and commerce. It is overseen by the Grand Nagus from the Tower of Commerce on Ferenginar. The Nagus' power is derived from both the Ferengi Bill of Opportunities and Rules of Acquisition. The fourth great power of the Alpha Quadrant, the Ferengi are known for loyalty only to themselves.
Government
The Ferengi Alliance is the main political body of the Ferengi. It is dedicated to the promotion of profit and commerce and is overseen by the Grand Nagus, who acts as both head of state and principal business leader. The Nagus' power is supported by both the Ferengi Bill of Opportunities as well as the Rules of Acquisition.
The Ferengi Commerce Authority, or FCA, is one of the primary agencies of the Alliance and is concerned with business practices and the enforcement of trade under the Ferengi Trade By-Laws and Ferengi Code. Agents of the FCA are known as Liquidators and are governed by the Board of Liquidators. The FCA tightly regulates Ferengi business affairs in all industries and throughout the quadrant. Additional government institutions included the Ferengi Gaming Commission, Ferengi Health Commission, and the Ferengi Trade Mission. The importance of business was felt even in the Ferengi government, as powerful businessmen could easily become powerful political figures, representing their companies the way states or worlds are represented in most other cultures.
Generally, the Ferengi Alliance stays neutral in the politics of the galaxy, since the Ferengi are solely interested in profit and making enemies would diminish business opportunities. In the spirit of free enterprise, most Ferengi business ventures are made without the knowledge of the government. A number of hostile conflicts occurred between the Federation and the Ferengi in the 2360s, however, the Ferengi Alliance itself was not held responsible. Ferengi starships therefore operate more like privately owned privateers, striking deals where they can, and stealing at phaser-point when they can't.
Physiology
On average, Ferengi were shorter than Humans. Externally, they had orange-brown colored skin, blue fingernails and long blue toenails, enlarged skulls, wrinkled noses, and sharp teeth. Most Ferengi were completely hairless. However, elderly Ferengi could have hair growing out of their ears, and some others could grow short stubble on their faces. The most notable Ferengi feature is the ears—large, prominent ones whose upper edges merge with a distinctive brow ridge. Males have larger ears than females. Besides allowing Ferengi to hear extremely well, the ears are an erogenous zone and inspire many cultural metaphors and sayings. For example, a Ferengi with plenty of financial skill and savvy is said to "have the lobes for business." A Ferengi diet mostly consists of insects and other invertebrates like crabs or slugs. They also eat fish.
Culture
Business, commerce, finance, and the acquisition of profit dominate Ferengi culture the same way they occupy the Ferengi mind. A Ferengi's status in society depends almost entirely on how much profit he earns. Every Ferengi male memorizes and lives by the Rules of Acquisition, 285 maxims describing good business practices and providing general advice for a profitable existence.
In Ferengi society, women are second-class citizens. Until the reforms of Grand Nagi Zek and Rom in the mid to late 2370s, females could not wear clothes, conduct business, or participate in politics. They were expected to remain subservient to men, right down to chewing males' food to soften it up before they ate it. Ferengi marriages were contractual affairs, with payment based on the duration of the contract, whether the couple had children, and similar factors.