Because self-determination was the defining component of every agile deployment I've ever been involved in or personally driven. I don't think I can really picture what something calling itself agile yet lacking this component would even look like, honestly -- hoping you will forgive me this failure of imagination.

Isnt that in itself "agile"? And I specifically dont mean following a religous ceremony plan etc but recognizing that a part of their process isnt working and then changing it. To me thats the entire point of actual agile. You try a process, it doesnt work, you analyze, and adapt.