The Edge of Civilizations: The Chinese Civilization and the Development of World Civilizations

Abstract

After humans developed agriculture that could sustain city life in the Neolithic age, four great inventions are needed for the next big step of transition: written language, bronze, (the domesticated) horse, and wheel. For much of the human history, only three civilizational circles, the pan-Mediterranean, the Indian, and the Chinese civilizations, as well as the connective corridor among them, i.e., the Eurasian Steppe, possessed these inventions. Among these, the Chinese one is on the edge and relatively isolated, and is the sole leader in East Asia, the Chinese “world,” which could explain its apparent long-lasting continuity. It may not be as rich and diverse as the pan-Mediterranean civilizations, but it has its unique features, some of which were leading the rest of the world. A fair evaluation of the merits and demerits of the developments of world civilizations needs to take the Chinese (and the pan-Mediterranean) civilizations into account, and for humans to develop further, a fighting pluralism, that is, an open, non-violent but fierce competition among different civilizations is needed.