  We analyze the mechanism that determines the boundary of stability in
Taylor-Couette flow. By simple physical argument we derive an analytic
expression to approximate the stability line for all radius ratios and all
speed ratios, for co- and counterrotating cylinders. The expression includes
viscosity and so generalizes Rayleigh's criterion. We achieve agreement with
linear stability theory and with experiments in the whole parameter space.
Explicit formulae are given for limiting cases.
