What are the Characteristics of Civilization?
Characteristics of Civilizations has to do with the systems that arise due to larger and more diverse groups living in fixed locations (like cities). In fact, the word civilization means ‘those who dwell in cities’. One of the primary characteristics of civilizations is that they have complex political structures. The have larger gaps between the social classes and therefore develop more complex social structures. This is due to the greater number of people and the fact that they are more diverse. Smaller social groups have less complex political and social structures because they are smaller in number and much less diverse (or more homogeneous). Smaller groups need less structure than large diverse groups. Possession ownership is higher. Those living in cities tend to own land, dwellings, and other things. This is due to the fact that they remain in that area for longer periods of time and therefore ownership takes on a higher value. Nomadic groups possess few things because they are often on the move. Therefore, having fewer things facilitates frequent moves. Monetary systems tend to be highly developed in civilizations versus tribal or nomadic groups that can do better with barter and direct trade of goods or services, or tend to share things more readily.
The characteristics of civilizations refers to the personality traits of people groups living in cities or in urban areas. In fact, “civilizations” means “living in cities.” One trait is they have complex political structures, much more complex than other social groups.
They also have more complex social systems and there’s a larger gap between the social classes. Possession ownership is very high in civilizations. People own more material possessions, they also, oftentimes, own the land that they live on because they’re going to live in one spot for a long time, so they don’t have to worry about trying to move their possessions.
Nomadic people groups don’t acquire very many possessions because they have to take everything with them, whereas civilizations, the people there are more settled down and can acquire more possessions. Monetary systems usually occur in civilizations, whereas in other social groups they may barter for different things.
I may make tools and another person may grow food. We would trade each other for each other’s wares, whereas in a civilization people have money, which represents value, in order to trade with each other, because sometimes bartering can become very complex.
If I may make shoes and someone grows food and I may need food, but the farmer doesn’t need my shoes right then. Then how am I going to acquire food? That’s why civilizations have become more advanced and they have money that represents value and that makes it easier to trade with each other and to complete business transactions.