I guess I'll chime in then, even if it won't be much of a contribution to the discussion. Hypothetically, were I in a position to dictate things... this world's level of technology would be based on a mix of influences from the Inca empire and New Kingdom Egypt. That said, I'm content with the late-ish medieval setup we seem to currently be aiming at. I'd rather not deal with the consequences of firearms, but I'm not die hard opposed to early cannon or the like as very novel inventions.

P.S. If you want to insert turbulence into the world, make most of the states small and add some Viking-like dudes would be my recipe.