Niall Ferguson's book "The Square and the Tower: Networks and Power, from the Freemasons to Facebook" highlights how historical networks have shaped power dynamics throughout history. He discusses the influence of various social structures, comparing pre-Internet campaigns to modern political strategies. This analysis reveals the crucial role that connectivity plays in a candidate's success in the political arena.
The author argues that in a pre-Internet environment, a candidate like Donald Trump would have found it challenging to compete with a well-established opponent like Bill Clinton. The access to immediate communication and social media platforms provides a significant advantage for modern politicians, transforming how they engage with voters and sustain their political presence.