1.) Contrast the success, or longevity, of Aztec and Inca Empires, with the “stateless” societies.
2.) Contrast and analyze which was, in your opinion, more successful, the centralized Byzantine and Umayyad Empires, or the more decentralized Abbasid “empire” (or confederation).
3.) Compare, or contrast, the Empires of Ghana and Mali, with the non-centralized societies of the Congo River Valley.
4.) Discuss the success, or lack of it, of Empires in India, always answering the question: “why”?

5.) Discuss which Dynasty was more successful, by our criteria of longevity, prosperity, and stability, regarding the Sui, Tang, and Song Dynasties.

You should refine your analysis further by discussing the differing periods of the rise and fall of the various empires or states (prior to 1500), and the reasons for such success followed by failure.  The purpose of this question is to determine the lessons of history that may be relevant today.