Oh, regarding the don't-let-them-decentralise thing: I think it's because of how atevi borders (or lack of them) work? I.e. it would allow separate areas to get strong enough to challenge the aiji, which could bring the whole Western Association/human treaty down around their ears... and, yes, is against the human desire to keep the economy under Tabini and driving firmly toward spaceflight.
They -- or perhaps just Bren -- does seem to have at least some genuine concern for not repeating the problems of Earth's 21st century, too; Bren thinks of human records of human development on Mospheira, which "suggested, with the wisdom of hindsight, that consuming the planet's petrochemicals in a vast orgy of private transport wasn't the best long-range choice for the environment or the quality of life" and takes pride in the fact that "atevi had made enormous advances, and the air above the Bergid range still sparkled".
no subject
They -- or perhaps just Bren -- does seem to have at least some genuine concern for not repeating the problems of Earth's 21st century, too; Bren thinks of human records of human development on Mospheira, which "suggested, with the wisdom of hindsight, that consuming the planet's petrochemicals in a vast orgy of private transport wasn't the best long-range choice for the environment or the quality of life" and takes pride in the fact that "atevi had made enormous advances, and the air above the Bergid range still sparkled".