Niall Ferguson's book, "The Square and the Tower: Networks and Power, from the Freemasons to Facebook," discusses the decline of standards in legislation and governance observed across various democracies. He highlights that this deterioration is not limited to specific nations, but is a widespread phenomenon that impacts democracies that have evolved through different historical contexts in the twentieth century.

Ferguson suggests that the underlying issues affecting modern governance stem from shifting societal values and the complexities introduced by evolving power structures. As democracies grapple with these changes, the overall quality of governance and legislative effectiveness appears to weaken, raising concerns about the future of democratic institutions.