Modern civilization faces an increasing divergence between the ecological systems that sustain life and the institutional and cultural frameworks through which societies organize themselves. While technological and economic capacity have expanded rapidly, ecological degradation, institutional fragility, and cultural polarization suggest that many societies are drifting toward systemic instability. This paper introduces the Violence–Viability Architecture, an integrative framework that conceptualizes civilization as a three-layer system composed of the life-ground, institutional governance structures, and cultural narratives. Drawing on peace research, ecological economics, systems theory, and social neuroscience, the framework explains how misalignment between these layers can generate structural violence, cultural polarization, and direct conflict. The paper further proposes the concept of a civilizational viability corridor, defined by the interaction between ecological integrity, institutional capacity, and cultural coherence. By identifying early warning indicators and policy diagnostic tools, the framework provides a practical approach for evaluating whether governance systems strengthen or undermine the conditions required for long-term societal stability. The analysis concludes by exploring the possibility of a transition toward reflexive civilization, in which societies consciously monitor and manage the ecological and institutional systems upon which their survival depends.
