ibn khaldun argues that each dynasty (or civilization) has within itself the seeds of its own downfall. he explains that ruling houses tend to emerge on the peripheries of great empires and use the much stronger ʿasabiyya present in those areas to their advantage, in order to bring about a change in leadership. this implies that the new rulers are at first considered "barbarians" by comparison to the old ones. as they establish themselves at the center of their empire, they become increasingly lax, less coordinated, disciplined and watchful, and more concerned with maintaining their new power and lifestyle. the ʿasabiyya, dissolves into factionalism and individualism, diminishing their capacity as a political unit. thus, conditions are created wherein a new dynasty can emerge at the periphery of their control, grow strong, and effect a change in leadership, beginning the cycle anew. ibn khaldun also further states in the "muqaddimah" that "dynasties have a natural life span like individuals", and that no dynasty generally lasts beyond three generations of about 40 years each.