Truly, I don't think "civilization" is anything more than a very, very thin veneer that societies and nations break and cast aside when their interests are "threatened."

The Arabic civilization was light-years ahead of the European and in fact taught many things to Europe that had been forgotten during the "Dark Ages." The Celtic Christian church had its own ways, in many ways far superior to those of Rome, but was tossed when Rome demanded absolute obedience to its authority. In many ways Elizabethan England was quite civilized, but broke on the rocks of James I (VI), Charles I, and Cromwell.

No, I think it depends on whose ox is being gored...and who demands Power. As "Bath House" John Grogan to King Richard Daley I, "Seize the power and all else will follow."

"...to whet a stranger's lust for power and gold...."

When I took over in a job in top management, I was told that I'd have to take a turn at running a group that was spread across several counties (an area about the size of England). I replied that I didn't want that...I wanted to be the spider in the middle of the web. THAT'S power, and it can and will corrupt and can bring down empires -- see the USSR (I knew that and managed to avoid it).