I agree about squalor being a plus for preventing the size induced steam roller. I just wish I had some detail as to how to prevent/combat it. Right now I'm just guessing... If someone has figured it all out, with all pluses and minuses, I would love to hear it.

I always enslave non-friendly cities now or exterminate them if I need money. It does a lot to prevent squalor and makes a huge difference in long term revenue.