--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To be clear, civilization is not the same…" description: "\"To be clear, civilization is not the same as society. Civilization is a specific, hierarchical organization based on 'power over.' Dismantling civiliza..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ed/derrick-jensen-2824_civilization_to-be-clear-civilization-is-not-the-same_438152.jpg" --- # To be clear, civilization is not the same as society… ![“To be clear, civilization is not the same as society. Civilization is a specific, hierarchical organization based on 'power over.' Dismantling civilization, taking down that power structure, does not mean the end of all social order. It should ultimately mean more justice, more local control, more…” quote by Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ed/derrick-jensen-2824_civilization_to-be-clear-civilization-is-not-the-same_438152.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ed/derrick-jensen-2824_civilization_to-be-clear-civilization-is-not-the-same_438152.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ed/derrick-jensen-2824_civilization_to-be-clear-civilization-is-not-the-same_438152.jpg) > “To be clear, civilization is not the same as society. Civilization is a specific, hierarchical organization based on 'power over.' Dismantling civilization, taking down that power structure, does not mean the end of all social order. It should ultimately mean more justice, more local control, more democracy, and more human rights, not less.” [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Civilization is a power‑based hierarchy; dismantling it aims for justice, not chaos. **In simple terms:** Removing oppressive structures seeks justice. Key Takeaway Work toward equitable, local governance. Themes politics justice hierarchy Mood critical hopeful Type philosophical activist When to use this quote - community organizing - policy reform - grassroots activism - education initiatives Key Concepts social theory anarchism human rights Questions to Reflect On - How can justice be ensured during transition? - What local models can replace central power? A Different Perspective Power vacuums can cause instability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Human rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-rights/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-order/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/) ## Related quotes > [Iraq is no diversion. It is a place where civilization is taking a decisive stand against chaos and terror, we must not waver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/iraq-is-no-diversion-it-is-a-place-where-civilization-is-taking-a/) [George W. 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In the last analysis, all decisions are dependent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/the-capitalistic-social-order-therefore-is-an-economic-democracy-in/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) ## More by Derrick Jensen > [The global industrial economy is the engine for massive environmental degradation and massive human (and nonhuman) impoverishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/the-global-industrial-economy-is-the-engine-for-massive-environmental/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [“In sum, one of the primary things I learned was how to kill time. I learned also to wish away my life. 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Where will you choose to make your stand? Give me a threshold, a specific point at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/where-will-you-drive-your-own-picket-stake-where-will-you-choose-to/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [“So often, environmentalists and others working to slow the destruction are capable of plainly describing the problems (Who wouldn’t be? The problems are neither…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/so-often-environmentalists-and-others-working-to-slow-the-destruction/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [Forests precede us and deserts dog our heels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/forests-precede-us-and-deserts-dog-our-heels/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [“The condition of alienation, of being asleep, of being unconscious, of being out of one’s mind, is the condition of the normal man. 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