Niall Ferguson's book "Civilization: The West and the Rest" explores the ways in which various institutions and cultural products shape societal norms. He argues that these entities play a crucial role in establishing behavioral expectations and guiding individual actions within a community. By formalizing a set of standards, they contribute significantly to the identity and coherence of societies.

The author emphasizes that the success of different civilizations hinges not just on their material achievements but also on the foundational cultural frameworks that enable social interaction and cohesion. Ferguson's analysis sheds light on how these cultural institutions are vital for understanding the development and maintenance of civilization throughout history.