The Civilization Controversy: A Building Block for Human Society?
Advantages of Civilization
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Development of specialized skills, inventions, arts, and literature
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Building of economically and politically
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coordinated cities
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Increased ability to protect people from dangers both inside and outside the city
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Growth of prosperity, improving quality of life
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Disadvantages of Civilizations
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Increase in class and gender distinctions, creating oppression for some
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Overproduction of land, depletion of soil, eventual destruction caused by increase in population
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Increased attacks from outsiders attracted to wealth; internal crime promoted by crowded conditions
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Creation of life-threatening congestion, pollution, disease, and decrease in sanitation
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Today most historians try to steer away from the question of whether the advent of civilization led to a higher level of human life or started us on the road to ultimate destruction. The important thing to remember is that it dramatically changed the course of world history, whether for good or for bad. No matter what the location or time period, the division between urban and rural lifestyles is a recurring theme throughout time, and biases toward one lifestyle or the other remain as a great continuity throughout eras and among many societies around the world.
Alternatives to Sedentary Agriculture
Shifting cultivation aka "slash and burn" developed primarily in rain forest zones of Central & South America, West Africa, eastern & central Asia, and much of southern China & Southeast Asia. Depletion of soil nutrients from destruction forced movement into new parts of the jungle
Pastoral nomadism is characterized by following domesticated herds of sheep, goats, cows, reindeer, camels, and/or horses, and moving frequently from one place to the other to find for pasture for the animals. This life style developed across the grassy plains of central Eurasia and nearby desert areas of the Arabian peninsula and the Sudan.
Common Features of Classical Civilizations
Classical civilizations developed their own beliefs, lifestyles, political institutions, and social structures. However, there were important similarities among them:
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Patriarchal family structures - Like the river valley civilizations that preceded them, the classical civilization valued male authority within families, as well as in most other areas of life.
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Agricultural-based economies - Despite more sophisticated and complex job specialization, the most common occupation in all areas was farming.
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Complex governments - Because they were so large, these three civilizations had to invent new ways to keep their lands together politically. Their governments were large and complex, although they each had unique ways of governing
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Expanding trade base - Their economic systems were complex. Although they generally operated independently, trade routes connected them by both land and sea.
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Artistic and architectural advancements – Each of these civilizations developed unique forms of artistic expression and construction. Many of these arts are still practiced in their respective regions today.