The only force that we can say shaped pre-colonial Africa is the military force. Have in mind that One purpose of centralized political systems was to create the foundation for large military forces that could be called upon for defense and territorial expansion and actualy a<span>uthoritarianism and the use of force were dominant features of European colonial administrations in Africa. </span>
The Manifest Destiny which stated that the U.S. had a God-given right to all of the land in North America
Back then government was possible when the people came and worked together. By having good leaders they could make stable groups called empires
Hope this helps might be a bit more then you wanted
