would it be possible in any way to create a system where by you could watch other people (not the ai) play civilization?

I suppose you could ask whoever you wanted to watch if he'd record a game with Fraps. He'd need the full version though if you wanted to see it in more than 30 second intervals. :p

Other than that, haven't a clue. Might help if you were more specific as to which games you wanted to see.

i've worked my way up the difficulty ladder on my own pretty well,
but i thought it would be interesting to see how other people play, and how successful they are as a result.