I have a similar question relating to those values. I've noticed that checking two different factions tabs will show different values in relation to each other. Does it show how the selected faction feels or how the smaller portraited faction feels about the selected faction?
I wrote about this in another thread. In the "Manage Pacts" screen, the two numbers you see are the relationship values between the two factions (i.e. between you and whoever you're working the pacts with). The left-most value (the one in your color and with your symbol) is how YOU feel about THEM. The right-most value (the one in the color and symbol of the faction you're dealing with) is how THEY feel about YOU; the number you normally see whenever you click the diplomacy screen and want to work ceasefire agreements with.
You'll notice, at the start of a game, that you (as a human player) have a 10.00 relationship with any and all AI players. Whereas AI may be 0.00 to 3.00 depending on a variety of factors. When you send envoy ships to their planets, you improve how THEY feel about YOU (the right number in the pacts screen). If you want the left-most number (how YOU feel about THEM, remember?) to go above 10.00, you'll need to form a cease-fire pact with the AI so that they'll send envoy cruisers to YOUR planets.
When playing around with the relationship view, the number on the little portraits is their relationship number to the guy in the middle. When placing your own faction in the middle, the numbers around the AI is how THEY feel about YOU. When selecting another faction, the number on your smaller faction picture is how YOU feel about THEM. Simply put, this information is organized by how OTHER players feel about whatever faction you select on the left-side. (i.e. if you want to see how all the other factions like Player X at a glance, then you'll want to open up Player X's tab. To see how much Player X likes Player Y, you'll need to select Player Y's faction on the tabs on the left and look for Player X there.)
