Concept dimensions constitute their concept through identity rather than causation

Evidence

The ontological approach does not in the first instance see causal relationships between levels. Because secondary-level dimensions constitute what the phenomenon is the relationship is one of identity, not causation. To have elections is not an indicator of democracy, but to have elections is what it means to be a democracy. Hence, there is a close connection between semantic approaches to concepts and ontological ones. — Gary Goertz, Social Science Concepts, 408

Categorization

• DEFINE: Turns on the identity-versus-causation distinction for constituent dimensions — the hinge of the whole ontological approach.
• DEEPTHINKING: Reframes the indicator debate: most social-science measurement smuggles in a causal disease-symptom picture where identity is meant.