Niall Ferguson's book "The Square and the Tower" explores the interplay between social networks and hierarchical structures in shaping global power dynamics. He argues that human behavior has been fundamentally influenced by our innate tendency to form connections and relationships, which are essential to our survival and progress as a species.

Ferguson highlights a perspective by sociologists Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler, suggesting that humanity might be more accurately labeled as Homo dictyous, or "network man." This emphasizes the idea that our brains are inherently designed to engage with social networks, which play a crucial role in determining how we function within society and influence larger societal structures.