That's an intriguing perspective and touches on some fundamental issues in blockchain governance and decentralization. Let's unpack this argument:
Initial centralization: Pre-mines and ICOs often result in a concentration of tokens (and thus, power) in the hands of founders, early investors, or a small group of individuals/entities. This can lead to centralization of decision-making and control.
Gradual decentralization: Many projects aim to decentralize over time through token distribution, community governance mechanisms, and expanding the developer base. However, this process can be slow and may not fully address the initial power imbalance.