Ibn Khaldun describes
asabiyya as the bond of cohesion among humans in a group-forming community. The bond exists at any level of civilization, from nomadic society to states and empires.
Asabiyyah is strongest in the nomadic phase, and decreases as civilization advances. As this declines, another more compelling
asabiyyah may take its place; thus, civilizations rise and fall, and history describes these cycles as they play out. Ibn Khaldun argued that any
dynasty (or
civilization) has within itself the seeds of its own downfall. He explains that ruling houses tend to emerge on the peripheries of existing
empires and use the much stronger
asabiyya present in their areas to their advantage, in order to bring about a change in leadership. This implies that the new rulers are at first considered '
barbarians' in comparison to the previous ones. As they establish themselves at the center of their empire, they become increasingly lax, less coordinated, disciplined and watchful, and more concerned with maintaining their new power and lifestyle. Their
asabiyya dissolves into factionalism and individualism, diminishing their capacity as a political unit. Conditions are thus created wherein a new dynasty can emerge at the periphery of their control, grow strong, and effect a change in leadership, continuing the cycle. Ibn Khaldun also further states in the
Muqaddimah that "dynasties have a natural life span like individuals", and that no dynasty generally lasts beyond three generations of about 40 years each. ==See also==