Correct me if I'm wrong, but the point of the upper nations remaining in peace mode is so that the alliance NS can be quickly rebuilt once peace is declared. When you go from 20,000 to 10,000, it's not quite as big a deal to rebuild from the aid of the more opulent nations. But if their nations are taken from 70,000 to 35,000 then the alliance is pretty much screwed as there is no source of funding for the lower tier nations. However, if I'm wrong and the more powerful nations don't intend to help you rebuild then I'd agree you have a right to be pissed.