What's civilizations different from cultures?

Question

Why is only some countries can be considered as civilzations- Chinese, Egyptian, Roman. but other cannot? U.S, Japan etc?
What are some requirements to be name as civilization?

Answer 1

As an anthropologist and archaeologist, I can unequvically say that Japan and the United States, as well as Egypt, Rome, Chinese, etc. are all civilizations.

The requirements for civilization are these:

1) Written language
2) Social stratification
3) Complex Infrastructure
4) Political hierarchy
5) Complex economy based on agriculture
6) Monumental Architecture


The societies that are not quite a civilization are those that do not include a written language, such as the Chiefdoms of the Pacific Northwest Native Americans (the ones who built totem poles).

Others are Tribe, Band, and Clan.

All of these are cultures. At the top is Civilization, at the bottom is Band and Clan.

A culture is a set of behaviors, norms, traditions, language, religion, etc. that are distinctive and shared by a group of people.

Culture is all inclusive. And a civilization is also a culture.
You can speak of the Egyptian civilization and Egyptian culture, or Chinese civilization and Chinese culture.

And remember, civilizations and cultures change over time.

Excellent question.

Answer 2

As an Indian living in India, I think I am not at all civilized enough to be called a civilization by those who call countries and cultures “civilization”. But that is only what I think.

Answer 3

civilization implies a long continuity. Within a civilization, there can be many distinct cultures. People speak of Western Civilization, which includes cultures as varied as medieval Britain, Renaissance Italy, Revolutionary France and the "superpower" America.

I don't know if China or Japan would be considered a civilization. Certainly Asia has a unique civilization, which includes China, Japan, Korea and Thailand.

Being a civilization requires a level of technological and social complexity. I don't think Native Americans or Africans had a civiliation, though they had distinct cultures.

Answer 4

Countries called civilizations had a very developed culture since ancient years. Very developed culture in ancient years means they used writing and reading. All countries who had writing and reading were called civilizations, the rest not

Answer 5

There were some great civilization in the new world and in Africa. The Aztec and Incas would fit the definition in most peoples books. There were several in Africa, Egypt, Carthage and several others that were probably less significant. Japan has to be considered a great and unique civilization. The US is just so new compared to some I mentioned and others. It has surpassed every other civilization known to man in many important ways. I suppose it isn't called a civilization just because most people who use the term use it in a historic fashion.

Answer 6

If you do a Yahoo search on the word "Civilization", and then click on to the Wikipedia website you will get a complete and detailed answer to you question.