[Metric]

I agree that an evolutionary perspective might be useful -- in an era of exponential growth, efficient growth is everything if you don't want to be rendered obsolete by the competition. Massive states, though, tend to be inefficient and stifle innovation, so the AC scenario wins unless rampant individuals periodically disrupt society enough to more than make up for the state handicap.

More thought needs to be put into this question, I think -- it seems extremely important, and a compelling basic principle/answer could be extremely motivational for the winning side. Who wants to be an advocate for principles that are destined to be squashed by technological progress?