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The point about decentralization is to ensure development can continue unhindered by political factors. With an empire it's very easy for the ruling aristocracy
by iwwr 15y ago
The point about decentralization is to ensure development can continue unhindered by political factors. With an empire it's very easy for the ruling aristocracy (or autocrat) to kill development. Yes, you can have enlightened rulers, but then the system hinges precariously on just a few people.
For that matter, it's much more devastating when an uncontested empire falls, rather than when one of many powers may fail.
- Symmetry 15y agoYes, that's one of the mechanisms by which centralized empires can inhibit development. But on the other hand the lack of them can mean too many wars which destroy advances people are trying to build, and a lack of trade that prevents regional specialization.