Niall Ferguson's book "The Great Degeneration: How Institutions Decay and Economies Die" emphasizes the role of institutions in human society, comparing them to hives for bees. These institutions serve as frameworks that help us organize and interact as communities. Just as bees instinctively recognize their hive, people can identify when they are part of a particular institution.

Institutions come with defined boundaries and rules that govern behavior within them. These structures are essential for maintaining order and coherence in society, but their integrity affects how well economies and communities function. When institutions falter, it can lead to broader societal decay, echoing Ferguson's concerns about the potential decline of effective institutions.