“Empires had a more efficient political organization than confederations.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that empires were politically more efficient than confederations. The political organizations may or may not have been contemporaneous with each other. Candidates may offer equal coverage of empires and confederations, or they may prioritize their discussion of one of them. However, both systems will be a feature of the response. A comparative approach may or may not be used. Candidates may refer to succession procedures, levels of tribal sovereignty, political responses of empires and confederations to internal rivalries and other challenges, or long-lasting political organization. While other relevant factors, for example the influence of religious beliefs on political organization, may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question. Candidates may agree, partly agree or disagree with the statement.