The motto of my collegiate alma mater, Ohio Northern University is, Ex diversitate vires (strength from diversity). Diversity brings a range of experiences and viewpoints to bear on issues facing an organization or a nation, just as genetic diversity brings health to the species. Conversely, too much uniformity of background or opinion leads to stasis and eventual death, just as its genetic equivalent causes the species to become vulnerable to disease and unwanted mutations.
Ohio has had a long history of being culturally diverse. I believe I reflect the majority opinion in Ohio (white, black, yellow, Asian Indian, and most* Muslims in Columbus) when I assert that a society must agree on at least a few core values, such as the use of the English language in the public square, freedom of expression, and the rule of law. The application of decentralist ideas will contribute to the long-term success of this principle, since it would give us the benefits of diversity, while enabling everyone to live in the neighborhood with which they are the most comfortable.
As I stated earlier, the end goal of decentralism is not just a new political alignment, but the ability to recover our humanity after generations of being treated as homo oeconomicus.
* Some of the first-generation Somalis in Columbus haven't gotten it yet (a few of the young men have disappeared, presumably to join the radicals in Somalia); but the Somalis here are distressed by their disappearance, which suggests that the community as a whole is beginning to understand our common values as Ohioans.
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