Keywords
ancient civilizations, human development
Abstract
Studying ancient civilizations is not a precise enterprise, and many statements are approximations, subject to validation or dispute. Several key concepts describe the flow and progress of collective human development. Individuals, families, clans, and tribes precede formation of civilization, which provides the foundation for states. Governments are managerial organizations of more complex societies, providing concentrated focus on defense, currency and infrastructure. Civilizations improve life security as urbanization, innovation, and division of labor increase, requiring more complex and powerful governing institutions.
Recommended Citation
Bedeski, Robert
(2022)
"Book Review: Hans-Joachim Gehrke, ed. Making Civilizations: The World Before 600,"
Comparative Civilizations Review: Vol. 87:
No.
87, Article 14.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/ccr/vol87/iss87/14
Included in
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