The Kardashev scale is used to determine the level of development of a civilization. This is a theoretical value and it is very specific, since the total energy consumption for the entire civilization is used as a measured value. The scale was proposed in 1964 by the Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev, and initially there were only three main "divisions" - I, II and III. Currently expanded to IV, V and VI "divisions", added zero.
Type 0 Civilization
Type 0 civilizations are pre-industrial or, at best, civilizations at the first stage of space expansion. This type uses most of the planet's available energy resources. The closest analogue will be humanity at the beginning of the XXI century. Perhaps many civilizations of this type self-destruct during the transition to a new level of development.
Type I civilization
The planetary civilization uses the resources of its planet in full. The planets of her star system are colonized, becoming part of the resource base. Very often this stage becomes a trap for civilization. It enters a state of self-sufficiency, directing resources to virtual development, instead of further expansion. Many civilizations of this type cease to exist due to catastrophic changes in the native star - for example, its transformation into a new star or a supernova.
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Type II Civilization
Such civilizations are very rare and not common. As a rule, they have been around for several million years. They use all the available energy of their star system and have already been able to carry out interstellar travel and planetary colonization in other star systems. Type II civilizations have outlived their youth, overcame turbulent times. The chances of continuing to develop sharply increase at this point.
Type III Civilization
Defined as a civilization that is capable of harnessing the energy of the entire galaxy. They are rare even on a universal scale. Even according to an overly liberal estimate, their number in all known galactic clusters will not exceed a hundred. This level is practically unattainable for one species. To reach this level of development requires the unification of many races into a single whole.
Type IV Civilization
This type of civilization can use the entire amount of available energy of galactic superclusters.
Civilization V / Vb Type
Any civilization that has advanced to this point will have access to all the available energy in the Universe. In theory, they may well be able to change some or all of the physical laws of this universe.
Type VI Civilization
A completely hypothetical civilization that can use the energy of several universes, change the physical laws in them and even prevent the heat death of the home universe in order to exist forever.