Civilization

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What is a civilization? What characteristics must a group of people have in order to be considered a civilization? Civilization is a complex culture that contains several characteristics such as organized communities, a system of government, an economic system, a social structure, a religious world view, intellectuals, and an artistic endeavor. These characteristics were found in our earliest civilizations: Sumerians, Babylonians, and the Assyrians.
To be considered a civilization, the community must have been organized and no longer nomadic. This meant that it must have held a land mass and was located in a particular place. There have only been two civilizations throughout history which were considered a civilization but did not necessarily …show more content…

This can be any form of government such as a democracy, monarchy, communism, republic, dictatorship, theocracy, etc. Within the established government, there must laws and rules of conduct for the people to follow. In regards to protection or expansion, a military is also necessary. A civilization will not last without a military defense system.
Thirdly, the role of an effective economic system within a civilization is crucial to its survival. A civilization consists of what could be a large population. The economic system must be able to produce and distribute basic necessities of life such as food, clothing, and shelter. There must also be a form of currency or barter in place. Ideally, physical currency is better than bartering but civilizations will learn and advance through time.
No civilization would be a civilization without some sort of social structure, if nothing was in place, it would most likely be a madhouse. A social structure allows for people to hold different positions and places in society. It is what separates the high, middle, and low. This is something we have seen from the beginning with Kings and Pharaohs. Not everyone in society will be equal in regards to economic or educational status, this is a method of dividing the

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