Specialization is centralizing. Centralized systems are arguably more fragile (a negative, when reliability is a goal) and easier to actively leverage for something I might not like (absolute power corrupts...). There is also a patronizing aspect to &#x27;free trade&#x27; that implies monopolies are the just outcomes of meritocracies, which I consider patently false. Quite the opposite: we constantly have to fight centralization of power, and &#x27;free trade&#x27; (a misnomer, IHMO), is a dangerous centralizing force at a global level, which we have basically never had to reign in.<p>I find it amusing how often people who consider themselves libertarian, etc, argue for some of the most fascist regimes imaginable.