The cognitively central concept level is the one theoretical propositions actually use.

Evidence

The most important level theoretically is usually the concept as used in theoretical propositions, such as “corporatism,” “democracy,” or “welfare state.” This I refer to as the basic level. It is “basic” in the sense of Eleanor Rosch and her colleagues; it is cognitively central. It is the noun to which we attach adjectives (Collier and Levitsky 1997) such as parliamentary democracy or democratic corporatism. The basic level is what we use in theoretical propositions. — Gary Goertz, Social Science Concepts, 38

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines the ‘basic level’ by borrowing Rosch’s cognitive-centrality claim rather than inventing a fresh criterion.
• BMF: Rosch’s basic-level category (the cognitively privileged midpoint of a taxonomy) may connect to fiction that uses classification systems as plot devices — though no book in the current library uses taxonomic levels this way; consider adding Eleanor Rosch or a Borges/Lem taxonomy story to the reading list.