Interesting, Ed Greenwood’s first article detailing the Cult of the Dragon, seems to present it as an alternative to Krynn’s treatment of dragons.
“Krynn is too polarized a world for casual adventuring”. pic.twitter.com/ePNcCLLDBB

— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) October 7, 2020

That’s hilarious. I’m not sure I agree with 1986 @TheEdVerse 😛

— NewbieDM (@newbiedm) October 7, 2020

I still do. ;}
Looking back from now, you’re forgetting that all we’d seen of Krynn in 1986 was War of the Lance fiction and adventure modules. No other side of the globe, no “what’s this world like at peace.” Leaves from the Inn of the Last Home hadn’t been published yet. To directly quote the TSR design dictum of the day: "The entire world is caught up in a great war that will save the world–or end it."
Polarized. ;}

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) October 7, 2020