Honestly this is a somewhat good thing, let me explain.

Here the ponies have the chance to truly rediscover friendship, and not have some all powerful Alicorn tell them what to think.

As far as I can tell Canterlot and other places are like Rome, Athens or Instanbul.

Empires and governments come and go, that’s just the way things are.

From what I’ve seen ponies have embraced technology to its fullest rather than relying on magic. That’s good, it shows progress.