I think perhaps in parallel to you point, move towards centralization tends to overpower confederations. Incidentedly, this point is also made in the Federalis

I think perhaps in parallel to you point, move towards centralization tends to overpower confederations. Incidentedly, this point is also made in the Federalist papers and I believe Wealth of Nations which argues that centralization leads to stability and robustness. Exclusivity and evangelism helped centralize Christianity in comparison with the pagans.