  The relation between an isotropic and an anisotropic model in loop quantum
cosmology is discussed in detail, comparing the strict symmetry reduction with
a perturbative implementation of symmetry. While the latter cannot be done in a
canonical manner, it allows to consider the dynamics including the role of
small non-symmetric degrees of freedom for the symmetric evolution. This serves
as a model for the general situation of perturbative degrees of freedom in a
background independent quantization such as loop quantum gravity, and for the
more complicated addition of perturbative inhomogeneities. While being crucial
for cosmological phenomenology, it is shown that perturbative non-symmetric
degrees of freedom do not allow definitive conclusions for the singularity
issue and in such a situation could even lead to wrong claims.
