I do not believe simpler is better. Vanilla minecraft DOES NOT work by itself for a RP server. I could hop into any vanilla minecraft game and have full iron and some diamonds in 20 minutes. And no, players cannot be trusted to regulate themselves. The ones who restrict their character so that they can RP with others are just harmed by those who don't care, removing much of the RP. While you don't need to force every need or desire into an RP scenario (which I don't think currently happens with being able to level all skills), it is certainly needed, at least somewhat. That's my opinion on Nexus Crafting and Professions.
For regions and raids, I don't have much of an opinion on, as I play a Halfling so I just have perms to a predetermined area. However, when things get heated with other groups, we end up on the receiving end of many Raids, which we can't reasonably defend against while sticking with the idea of a Halfling.