> And what prevents a microkernel from having the exact same owners as a monolithic kernel, working on the exact same things?
Nothing inherent to the software is preventing anything. You could be right about the technical justifications. But OP's question wasn't "which is better?" it was "why?"
> A distributed project encourages fiefdoms, a centralized one asks for a taskmaster with final say.
What does the distinction between microkernel and monolithic kernel have to do with whether the project is “distributed”, or whether it is a “fiefdom”?
Nothing inherent to the software is preventing anything. You could be right about the technical justifications. But OP's question wasn't "which is better?" it was "why?"