Niall Ferguson's "The Square and the Tower" explores the conflict between the ideals of policy-making and the realities of bureaucracy. He argues that while policy aims to be flexible and adaptable, bureaucracy tends to be rigid and slow-moving. This fundamental opposition creates challenges in governance, as policies designed for change can be stifled by bureaucratic processes that resist innovation.

The author emphasizes that this tension between responsive policymaking and bureaucratic inertia has significant implications for power dynamics in society. It highlights how systems can become bogged down by their own structures, making it difficult to implement meaningful change. Ferguson’s insights offer a lens through which to understand the challenges faced by modern institutions as they navigate the complexities of networked power.