IMHO the laws of physics will mandate that society will adopt decentralization and eschew hegemony without doubt. While our feeble understanding of reality leaves us susceptible to misconceptions and gaslighting by clever deceivers, the laws of physics are not, and economic factors underlie every natural process, from the formation of galactic structure to the price of candy. Regardless of the susceptibility of mere hominins to duplicity, these fundamental processes that determine all physical events and evolution of processes will also determine the evolution of civil society.
We observe that cataclysm always extracts it's pound of flesh, but such barriers to development are inevitably surpassed and processes proceed according to the laws of physics. Humanity is part of the universe no less than the rest of observable reality, and the laws that govern all physical processes ongoing also govern civil society. There is ahead of us a rocky road, but the destination towards which we journey cannot be someplace other than has been laid out by these mechanisms. Humanity cannot deviate from our natural purpose, no matter our vanity, our conceits, nor the arrogance of our overlords.
We will be free, and our posterity will prosper throughout the universe, taking possession of the stars of the heavens at our whim, for the felicity of our posterity in perpetuity.
Thanks!