In this web content, the author explores the issue of centralization in relation to Internet standards efforts. The author argues that while it may be difficult for standards bodies to prevent centralization, they can still contribute to the decentralization of the Internet. The document discusses the potential harms of centralization, such as power imbalances, limits on innovation, constraints on competition, reduced availability, monoculture, and self-reinforcement. On the other hand, centralization can also be helpful in certain cases, such as when centralized functions are necessary for technical reasons or when they provide benefits like economies of scale. The document also highlights the challenges and complexities of achieving decentralization and the differing perspectives on what constitutes sufficient decentralization.
https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc9518.html