In social science, the negative pole of a concept usually lacks independent theoretical content.

Evidence

Mechanically and numerically the negative pole can be operationalized as zero on all of the secondary-level dimensions that characterize the positive extremes. For example, non–social revolution occurs when one or more of the positive attributes of a social revolution is absent. As a broad generalization of social science practice, the negative pole is often the negation of the positive: it has no independent theoretical existence. But it is always useful to ask about the negative pole and the degree to which it is different from“not” the positive pole. — Gary Goertz, Social Science Concepts, 220

Categorization

• DEFINE: Clarifies that ‘negative pole’ is typically just the logical negation of the positive attributes, with no separate theory behind it.
• XREF: Connects to the reader’s prior interests in how classification systems and conceptual categories silently carry political/analytical consequences.