In Latin it is where we can establish that the origin of the term civilization is found. Specifically, it must be emphasized that it is a word that emanates from the conjunction of three parts: the word “civilis”, which is equivalent to “civil”; the verb izare, which can be translated as “to turn into”; and finally the suffix “-ción”, which is synonymous with “action and effect”.
Civilization is the action and effect of civilizing (improving the training and behavior of people, raising the cultural level of a society). Civilization, therefore, is the cultural stage of the most advanced societies according to their level of science, arts, etc.
The concept is used, in general, to name a complex society, different from the tribal societies of antiquity. The term is also used synonymously with progress. For example: “Civilization has not yet reached these lands”, “We cannot allow hundreds of people to live outside civilization and fight like animals”, “When I was a teenager, my dream was to leave civilization and go live. to the field ”.
Throughout history we can determine that there have been a multitude of civilizations that have exercised and continue to exercise an important role and influence in later ones. Thus, for example, among the most significant and that arouse the most interest are the Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese or Islamic civilizations.
The first of the aforementioned, was located around the Nile River, began in 3,150 BC and remained that way for three thousand years. She contributed a series of great knowledge to later times in areas such as construction, irrigation methods within what would be agricultural production, Literature or various mathematical tasks. All this without forgetting the creation and formation of glass.
In addition to all the above, we would have to point out the existence of an important term in the historical sphere. We are referring to what is known as the history of civilizations, which tries to study the past not only through the military and political events that took place but also through other aspects of an economic, geographical and social nature.
As a cultural stage, civilization succeeds savagery and barbarism. It is usually considered that civilization begins in the 15th century, with the era of discoveries, and is consolidated from the 18th century with the Industrial Revolution.
According to DigoPaul, the notion of civilization, on the other hand, can be used as a synonym for culture. Thus, civilization supposes a worldview or ideology, with different values, customs, beliefs and institutions: “The Mayan civilization has been one of the precursors of astronomy”, “Many believe that, after the attacks of September 11, 2001, a clash of civilization was unleashed between the West and the East ”.
The process of expansion of Western civilization is called globalization. It is a global process that involves the interdependence of countries, the unification of markets and cultures, and the imposition of the capitalist system and liberal democracy.