Civilization in a Historical and Global Perspective

Abstract

This article focuses initially on the age-old difference between civilized and barbarian and the reification of the term `civilization', which came into existence only in 1756. The reasons why this neologism arose at the time are examined, and various definitions of the term are given. From this beginning in 18th-century Europe, the inquiry goes in two directions. One explores how societies described themselves before 1756: that is, what synonyms for civilization we encounter in their self-conception; examples relate to the Roman Empire, China and the Arab world. The second direction involves the question when, and under what conditions, does `civilization' get adopted in other, non-western societies.