Definition: Legitimising civilisation loop

The self-reinforcing process through which a circle civilisation produces institutions that acquire authority and subsequently use that authority to confirm the premises and legitimacy of the same civilisation.

• Explanation. The loop explains how institutions that arose from a civilisation can subse­quently function as authoritative sources for judging what is true, right or legitimate. It thereby reinforces the authority of the civilisation from which it arose. The legitimising civilisation loop must be distinguished from the reproductive civilisation loop: the former primarily concerns institutional confirmation and legitimation, whereas the latter con­cerns social transmission and reproduction.