EN
The author concentrates on the analysis of the phenomenon of civilization as a major factor of the world development and the mechanism leading to formation of the future global order. The aim of the analysis is to attract our attention to the fact that the evolution of great civilizations is only at first glance accidental and chaotic. In reality it includes a certain logic similar to the one which rules language development. Seemingly, languages are fully controlled by their users and in reality they evolve as living creatures demonstrating a surprising independence of their users and remain beyond their control. The author juxtaposes the most important definitions of civilization and indicates that in their analyses the role of religious beliefs is overestimated. According to the author, religions constitute an important but only a component element of great civilization systems, their role systematically decreases because they are pushed aside from the sphere of public life to the sphere of privacy. The author claims that the most important 'constructive element' of civilization are geographical and natural conditions determining the form of traditional agriculture which indicate the most important features of civilization. In his paper the author uses research methods used in social science and international relations, namely analysis , comparative description and historical analysis.