> If it was just a political secession, not a military revolt like that of
> the later System States, I think it most likely that the Federation
> response would have been blockade, not nuking the civilian population.
I am not sure on the timeline. (Looks)

Wikipedia has Uller Uprising written in 52
4-Day Planet in 61

So its possible that a throwaway line in Uller kinda gets written over
as HBP has more ideas and develops things more.

The Fenris of 1952 is a different thing from the Fenris of 1961.

-*-

HBP also had a very....  Roman view of political power.  Not only is
political power a monopoly on the large scale use of force, but it must
be ruthless and quick about enforcing it's monopoly.

If you're the prince and there's a challenge now,  you put down the
challenge quickly and publicly execute the challengers.  It saves a
civil war and much heavier casualties later.

That means leaving behind the realm of civilian empathy and civilian
views on life and death and knowing that you're playing a different game.

Don't like it?  Maybe being a Prince isn't for you.  Don't worry.
Someone with a blade or poison will be along to relieve you of your
concerns presently.

That comes out of a reading of history,  which makes these sorts of
ideas clear.

HBP exists in this weird superposition of agreeing that order can demand
brutality to maintain that order, and every so often pointing the
notional camera at the brutality, fully framed and inescapable.

Like "politics isn't game for wimps.You WILL get blood on your hands and
I still really hate it, thanks."