States, compared to civilizations, are smaller and self-contained -think of water in a water glass whereas the civilization has no container like a glass but wets a large area. The Content also is different. In a state rules and regulations and parties are organized around issues. In a civilization. The content is more formless and emotionally powerful. People treat states as instruments, but they treat civilizations as defining the atmosphere they live in. States can be changed by humans but civilizations are treated as true as not modifiable. Think of the shift from Rome to feudalism and Christianity and then on to industrialization and trade. These shifts are powerful and bring along beliefs that cement the structures together. It looks like large systems of belief, like Islam or Christianity can gather broader social penetration than seems possible by states. American democracy at the constitutional level was accepted by many nations but hasn't had much to say about values and beliefs. It seems that religion is still more effective at that level and can carry ideas about how to live. Certainly climate and extractive capital are needing to be confrontational with the debt-based banks and the domination of monopoly corporations - especially the big oil companies. Yet who is thinking about the difference between states and civilizations?
I had a dinner last night. There were some people from Bhutan. They have some old family businesses, saying things are rough, police and mllitaty and violence supported by a mix of nations including US and China.
Thanks, Douglass, I'll ponder this, your latest text. BB
I had a dinner last night. There were some people from Bhutan. They have some old family businesses, saying things are rough, police and mllitaty and violence supported by a mix of nations including US and China.
Angkor was an example. Bhutan is still one where monastic body is parallel to state and monarchy.
The role of state was originally to regulate for religio so that the humanity doesn't deter away from the path.
Interesting. have an example?