In "The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World," Niall Ferguson explores the historical conflicts that arise from competition over limited resources, particularly food and fertile women. The book emphasizes how these primal drives have influenced societies and shaped economic systems throughout history.

Ferguson argues that the struggle for access to essential resources leads to social tensions and conflicts, which can have profound economic implications. By tracing the financial history of the world, he illustrates that these fundamental contests over resources are deeply rooted in human behavior and continue to affect global dynamics today.