[Buttons12]

Civilization appears when, and as, a population grows beyond the range of a tribe and for primarily economic advantages, that society rejects tribalism as the standard of human social organization, with a system based on abstract concepts of social organization; this presupposes a broad ability to share abstract ideas (literacy) over a broader extent of territory than a tribe would inhabit, and a generally understood concept of property, as found in a settled way of life such as agriculture entails. The relations among individuals would be characterized by voluntary trade as opposed to theft and war.

In short, common culture, literacy, property; generally rising from religion, trade, and law. Each, respectively, tends to enhance the other, e.g., trade is good for literacy and literacy is good for trade. Similarly, religion, trade and law are all mutually reinforcing.

There seems to be a critical number for human organization, a theory advanced by, among others, Antony Jay in Corporation Man. A good working number for a committee, a mammoth hunt, a board of directiors, a corporation, a municipality, etc. It's this I'm referring to when I say "grows beyond the range of a tribe." Beyond a certain level of complexity, you need abstract thinking. It also helps to have a vehicle -- horse, wheel, boat. And finally you need to be successful in colonizing (spreading your common culture).

That's the best I can do before lunch!

[PapaBear3625]

The lowest stage is hunter-gatherer tribes

Then primitive farmers

You get cities when there is enough population density to support manufacturing. What is the purpose of a city? It is a place where people who make things can interact. Where people who need tools can find a blacksmith to make them. When people who weave cloth can find people selling cotton or wool, and where customers can find the cloth makers. It’s helpful to have all these interdependent makers of things in a central place, where they can supply each others needs. Thus, cities.

[nicollo]

Jared Diamond has a nice chart of "types of societies" outlining characteristics of bands, tribes, chiefdoms and states:

[outofsalt]

Not bad, (before lunch) but you forgot to include when women realized men could, on occasion, be right about stuff.