Introduction
A civilized setting is a conceptual framework used in literature, media, and design to describe a world or environment in which human societies exhibit complex cultural, political, and technological structures that resemble or exceed contemporary notions of civilization. The term is frequently applied in worldbuilding, tabletop role‑playing games, and video games to denote a backdrop that provides familiar institutions such as governance, commerce, and social norms, while allowing creative variations in detail. The concept has evolved from early anthropological definitions of civilization to a flexible design tool in speculative fiction and interactive entertainment.
Historical Context
Ancient Definitions
In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, scholars like Edward Gibbon and Friedrich Ratzel used the term “civilization” to contrast organized societies with what they deemed “barbarism.” Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1798) emphasized the Roman state's institutional complexity as a model of civilization. Ratzel’s geographic determinism linked environmental conditions to the rise of complex societies, framing civilization as a result of favorable landscapes and resource distribution.
Modern Anthropological Perspectives
Modern anthropology views civilization as a product of cumulative culture, institutional development, and technological innovation. Scholars such as Eric Wolf and Jared Diamond have examined the environmental, ecological, and social factors that foster civilization. The term now encompasses not only material wealth and technological capability but also social organization, language, religion, and symbolic systems.
Defining a Civilized Setting
Core Characteristics
Key attributes that distinguish a civilized setting include:
- Governance – formal political structures, law enforcement, and administrative institutions.
- Economy – organized systems of trade, production, and resource management.
- Culture – shared beliefs, art, literature, and ritual practices that foster social cohesion.
- Technology – tools and knowledge that enable complex infrastructure and communication.
- Social Stratification – hierarchies based on class, caste, or status that influence power distribution.
Technological Levels
Designers often classify civilizations by technological thresholds (e.g., Bronze Age, Industrial Age, Post‑Industrial). The level informs the available infrastructure, transportation, and communication methods, thereby shaping gameplay and narrative possibilities.
Institutional Structures
Typical institutions in a civilized setting include legal courts, educational establishments, religious bodies, and civic organizations. The interaction among these institutions defines the setting’s political dynamics and cultural norms.
Variants and Types
Linear Civilizations
Linear civilizations follow a chronological progression from simple to complex societies, often mirroring real historical development. This model is common in speculative timelines where humanity’s future is extrapolated from current trends.
Multicultural Polities
Polities comprised of multiple distinct cultural groups, often coexisting within shared governance structures. These settings provide rich ground for exploring interethnic relations and hybridization.
Post‑Apocalyptic “Civilized” Societies
After a collapse, survivors may establish new centers of order that retain some institutional memory while adapting to altered environmental constraints. Such settings examine the resilience of civilizing mechanisms.
Artificial Societies
Artificially created societies, such as AI‑managed cities or engineered ecological systems, test the limits of traditional civilizational attributes by placing them in novel contexts.
Examples in Literature and Media
Science Fiction
Brent Weeks’ Lightbringer series presents a society with advanced magics that function as technology, blending cultural norms with institutional structures. Iain M. Banks’ The Culture novels depict a post‑societal, post‑materialistic civilization that challenges conventional hierarchies.
Fantasy
The Forgotten Realms setting of Dungeons & Dragons features diverse kingdoms with distinct political and economic systems, allowing for varied civilizational tropes. The Warcraft universe offers a layered society of elves, humans, and dwarves, each with unique governance and cultural identities.
Video Games
In Civilization VI, players build and manage a nation from the Neolithic era through the Information Age, experiencing the mechanics of institutional development and technological progression. The Mass Effect series introduces the Citadel, a megastructure functioning as a galactic civilizing hub.
Television
Star Trek’s Federation exemplifies an interstellar civilization with shared democratic values and an emphasis on scientific advancement. In The Expanse, the New Earth represents a burgeoning civilization on Mars, incorporating Earth‑derived institutions in a new planetary environment.
Applications in Game Design
Tabletop Role‑Playing Games
Designers use civilized settings to ground adventures in recognizable institutions, allowing players to navigate familiar social systems while engaging in imaginative scenarios. The GURPS rules set includes modules for various civilizations, from medieval Europe to steampunk dystopias.
Video Game Narrative Design
Civilized settings provide a narrative scaffolding for quests, political intrigue, and character development. Games like Deus Ex and Cyberpunk 2077 rely on intricate societal structures to support branching storylines and moral dilemmas.
Worldbuilding Frameworks
Brandon Sanderson’s “Worldbuilding Rules” encourage the systematic creation of societies by starting with the technological level, then layering social and cultural norms. These frameworks help maintain internal consistency across large narrative scopes.
Key Challenges and Critiques
Cultural Representation
Developers often grapple with the risk of stereotyping or appropriating cultures when designing civilizations. The field of cultural sensitivity has prompted more inclusive design practices, such as engaging consultants from represented communities.
Eurocentrism
Many civilized settings reflect a Eurocentric worldview, privileging Western historical trajectories. Critiques advocate for more diverse origin stories, as seen in the growing popularity of Afrofuturism and Indigenous science fiction.
Technological Determinism
Emphasizing technology as the primary driver of civilization can overlook other factors like ideology, environment, and social dynamics. Balanced designs integrate multiple determinants, following theories from scholars like Arjun Appadurai.
Key Theories and Frameworks
Brinton’s Civilization Model
Walter Brinton proposed a hierarchy of civilizations based on economic complexity, technological sophistication, and social organization. While debated, the model informs many design heuristics in worldbuilding.
Polanyi’s Embodied Society
Karl Polanyi’s notion of “embeddedness” suggests that economic activities are inseparable from social relations. This idea encourages designers to consider how markets and institutions influence each other.
Worldbuilding by G. R. R. Martin
Martin’s approach to building fictional societies includes starting with a core conflict and then constructing societal responses. This method ensures that the civilization’s institutions arise organically from narrative stakes.
Contemporary Debates
Decolonizing Worldbuilding
Scholars argue that worldbuilding should move beyond colonial narratives by incorporating diverse perspectives and challenging hegemonic assumptions. Initiatives like the Worldbuilding Guild’s inclusive guidelines provide practical steps.
Sustainability vs. Civilization
With climate change concerns, many creators question the sustainability of traditional civilization models. Post‑apocalyptic and eco‑centric settings explore alternative pathways where civilization is redefined around ecological balance.
Case Studies
Baldur’s Gate: Civilized vs. Wilderness
The city of Baldur’s Gate exemplifies a classic civilized metropolis with guilds, law, and commerce, contrasting with the surrounding wilderness that remains largely ungoverned. This dichotomy supports narrative tension between order and chaos.
The Last of Us: Post‑Collapse Civilization
After a fungal pandemic decimates humanity, survivors form factions that attempt to rebuild social structures. The game’s depiction of these factions - each with distinct governance and cultural norms - offers insight into how civilization can reemerge in dire circumstances.
Mass Effect: The Citadel as Galactic Civilization
The Citadel functions as a neutral ground where species negotiate diplomacy and trade. Its complex administrative systems illustrate how a large-scale civilization might handle diversity and maintain equilibrium.
Design Guidelines
Creating Plausible Institutions
- Determine the technological level and align institutions accordingly.
- Model institutions after real historical analogues, then adapt to fit narrative needs.
- Ensure that each institution serves a narrative purpose, avoiding superfluous bureaucracy.
Balancing Technology and Culture
- Use technology to amplify cultural themes rather than replace them.
- Introduce cultural friction over technological adoption to generate conflict.
- Show how cultural values influence technological development.
Avoiding Tropes
Common tropes - such as the “civilized city always superior to the wild” - can be subverted by presenting complex moral dilemmas. Including diverse voices in the design process helps prevent reductive narratives.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!