Final answer:
The political structure of the early West African state of Ghana can best be described as a feudal system of local lords who paid tribute to a powerful monarch.
Step-by-step explanation:
The political structure of the early West African state of Ghana can best be described as a feudal system of local lords who paid tribute to a powerful monarch. The empire was initially established by Diabe Cisse, who unified the Soninke people. Vassal chiefdoms and kingdoms surrounded the core provinces of the kingdom, some operating fairly independently while others were controlled by the capital. As the kingdom expanded, its military also grew in size.