Ibn Khaldun (1332 - 1406)
A sketch of his life

The Muqaddimah, or Introduction to History

Chapter 3, on dynasties, royal authority, the caliphate, government ranks.

1.  Royal authority in large-scale dynastic power are obtained only through a group in group feeling

    "group feeling" (asabiyya), a key term for Ibn Khaldun

2.  When the dynasty is firmly established, it can dispense with group feeling

3.  Members of the royal family may be able to found a dynasty that can dispense with group feeling

4.  Dynasties of wide power and large royal authority have their origin in religion based either on prophethood or on truthful propaganda

5.  Religious propaganda  gives a dynasty at its beginning another power in addition to that of the group feeling it possess as a result of the number of supporters

6.  Religious propaganda cannot materialize without group feeling

7.  Each dynasty has a certain amount of provinces and lands, and no more

8.  The greatness of a dynasty, the extent of its territory, and the length of its duration depend on the numerical strength of its supporters

9.  A dynasty rarely establishes itself firmly in land with many different tribes and groups

10.  By its very nature, royal authority claims all glory for itself and goes in for luxury and prefers tranquility and peace

11.  When the natural tendencies of royal authority to claim all glory for itself and to acquire luxury and tranquility have been firmly established, the dynasty approaches senility

12.  Dynasties have a natural lifespan like individuals

13.  The transition of dynasties from desert like a sedentary culture

14.  Luxury will the first give additional strength to a dynasty

15.  The stages of dynasties.  How the desert attitude differs among the people in the different stages

16.  The monuments of a given dynasty are proportionate to its original power

17.  The ruler seeks the help of clients and followers against a man of his own people and group feeling

    Arab dynasties seeking help from Persians (and Turkish soldiers)

18.  The situation of clients and followers in dynasties

19.  Seclusion of, and control over, the ruler (by others) may occur in dynasties

20.  Those who gain power over the ruler do not share with him in the special title that goes with royal authority

21.  The true character and different kinds of royal authority

22.  Exaggerating harshness is harmful to royal authority and in most cases causes its destruction

23.  The meaning of caliphate and imamate

24.  The differences of Muslim opinion concerning the laws and conditions governing the caliphate

26.  The transformation of the caliphate into royal authority

27.  The meaning of the oath of allegiance

28.  The succession

......

30.  The title of "Commander of the Faithful", which is characteristic of the Caliph