This is such a great description, and captures why I love DS9 so much. I think the fact that it doesn’t really take place in the Federation, and that the overarching plot is moved along by external forces from an entirely different quadrant, gives it the space to thoughtfully explore the depths of a well-intentioned yet exclusionary post-scarcity utopia from a darker perspective. Especially how the Federation’s ideals interact with the aftermath of a very familiar military occupation on Bajor at the same time as it stokes an external threat from an unfamiliar ‘other’ through the Dominion/Founders. And all of that is accomplished through some of the best character development of any show I’ve seen.