Final answer:
Historical empires have differed based on their bureaucracy, military structure, and technological advancements, which have all played roles in their rise and decline and continue to influence contemporary international relations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Empires throughout history have differed in myriad ways, dictated by their socio-political structures, cultural principles, and external relationships with other states. For example, the bureaucracy of the Chinese empire was known for its well-structured and hierarchical civil service system that contributed to the administration's efficiency. Similarly, the Ottoman Empire devised a multiethnic military force including the janissaries, which enhanced its military capabilities and facilitated control over a diverse population. The aspects enabling the power and maintaining it, such as Askia the Great's strategies, varied according to the context and challenges faced by each ruler. The shift from land-based to overseas empires marked a turning point in history, influencing global trade, warfare, diplomacy, and technology, thereby shaping modern international relations.
Technological advancements often widened the gap between imperial powers and the conquered, contributing to a division of the world into "developed" and "less-developed" regions. This affects international relations even in contemporary times, reflecting differing access to resources and technological progress. Ethnocentrism played a historical role in forms of empire and domination, often justifying the subjugation of people deemed inferior by the conquering powers.