Defining a concept by necessary conditions makes any missing attribute disqualifying

Evidence

In classical fashion, Skocpol defines social revolution using a necessary and sufficient condition structure: “Social revolutions are rapid, basic transformations of a society’s state and class structures; and they are accompanied and in part carried through by class-based revolts from below” (1979, 4–5). This definition holds that social revolutions are the combination of three components: (1) class-based revolts from below, (2) rapid and basic transformation of state structures, and (3) rapid and basic transformation of class structures. Skocpol is explicit that if any one of these three attributes is missing, the case in question cannot be considered a social revolution. — Gary Goertz, Social Science Concepts, 1638

Categorization

• DEFINE: Explains the necessary-and-sufficient condition structure behind classical concept definitions.
• XREF: Directly parallels the Sartori/Goertz framework for concept structure already familiar from this literature.