Not sure if I understood:

If they don't accommodate decentralization they can't achieve global technocratic totalitarian tyranny, oddly enough. Imperial polities like the EU and the US need to follow in the footsteps of the USSR, IMHO.

Can you explain? Do you mean we have to hit the ground hard before we can leave La-La-Land? I would agree, I am afraid.

Yes, AfD is the option which will maybe get things changed. There is a need for new kids on the block. They first have to deliver though, and I would be curious if they could. At least, give it a chance. All else means non governing and being over rolled by reality, as McGregor puts it.