How would you define a civilized society?

I'll start putting together my own personal description of a civilized society.

In a civilized society, health care, education, and proper legal representation would be considered rights.

In a barbarian society, the quality of health care, education, and legal representation you receive depends on your position in the society. To the powerful go the spoils.

How would you define a civilized society?

Are we civilized?

When I look at how the leaders of this country responded to Hurricane Katrina, and contrast it to how they responded to the banking crisis, I have to ask myself, "Are we a civilized society, or are we primarily a barbarian society that maintains enough civilizing influences to keep the whole mess from falling apart?"

What are your thoughts on this?