ABSTRACT
Civilization is the opposite of uncultured savagery. The French word la civilisation is rendered into Chinese as civilization, enlightenment, edification and so on. Modern civilization has three characteristics that played the greatest roles in changing the way of ancient civilization, and marking a new era in human thought and society. These are the ideas of human rights, evolutionism and socialism. Prior to the French Revolution, all European nations were founded on the privileges of monarchs and aristocrats. The majority of people were the slaves of those with privileges, and had no freedom or rights to speak of. The rise of modern civilization completely destroyed the traditional systems in European societies, excepting only the system of private ownership. Although this system began in ancient times, its harms have become ever greater since the rise of human rights, competition, and the employment of industrial capital. Political inequality has become social inequality, and oppression by monarchy and aristocracy has become suppression by capitalists.
