I am no a JavaScript expert - I started playing with frontend (jQuery doesn't count) only recently. The only problem I have with your approach is that the model might mutate. For small projects it is ok - but for larger ones overriding state from many places generates pesky race conditions that are source of all evil. I am not advocating for react as well - to me it is just a view layer. Combining it with redux, flux or any other library concept makes everything complex. And add javascript build tools on the top of that (good javascript sucks). As a mostly "backend" developer (python, erlang, elixir) I really started to like ELM (http://elm-lang.org/docs#complete-guide) which solves all the problems as a language.

1. Language forces you to model-view-controller style

2. Language makes the model immutable

3. Language forces you to use correct types which saves a lot of trouble.

On the other hand, I a new to frontend - so I might be wrong.