You really underestimate the fun of creating something out of nothing and living a difficult frontier type lifestyle.
On the other hand you're right, it takes a certain kind of person to join one of the smaller realms that don't offer immediate action or an easy lifestyle.
Indeed.
I'd also add that there would likely be strong pacifist pressures in the region. War causes damage and production drops, which in return lowers food outputs and therefore make some people very unhappy.
Not saying war will never happen, though.
