civilization-state

plural civilization-states · alternative civilization state

1. A political entity (a state) associated with a particular civilization.

   2010, Newsweek, 25 January, Martin Jacques China may call itself a nation-state (although only for the past century), but in essence it is a civilization-state dating back at least two millennia.

   1 more example

   Although China has described itself as a nation-state for the last century, it is in essence a civilization-state. The longest continually existing polity in the world, it dates to 221 BC and the victory of the Qin. Unlike Western nation-states, China's sense of identity comes from its long history as a civilization-state.

   2009, LA Times, 22 November, Martin Jacques http://articles.latimes.com/2009/nov/22/opinion/la-oe-jacques22-2009nov22