The Square and the Tower
The Square and the Tower: Networks and Power, from the Freemasons to Facebook
Niall Ferguson
What it’s about
From the cults of ancient Rome to the dynasties of the Renaissance, from the founding fathers to Facebook, The Square and the Tower tells the story of the rise, fall, and rise of networks, and shows how network theory - concepts such as clustering, degrees of separation, weak ties, contagions, and phase transitions - can transform our understanding of both the past and the present.
The primary thesis of Niall Ferguson's book "The Square and the Tower" is that networks have played a crucial and often underappreciated role in shaping history, frequently challenging and disrupting traditional hierarchical power structures.
To support this thesis, Ferguson makes several key points:
Historical Significance of Networks
1. Networks have always been present throughout history, from ancient times to the present day.
2. The interplay between networks (represented by the "square") and hierarchies (represented by the "tower") has been a driving force in historical events and societal changes.
Network Characteristics and Impact
3. Networks tend to be more innovative and can spread revolutionary ideas more effectively than hierarchies.
4. Networks have been instrumental in major historical events, including revolutions and technological advancements.
5. The power of networks can lead to both positive and negative outcomes, sometimes resulting in anarchy or disruption of established orders.
Challenges to Traditional Historical Narratives
6. Ferguson argues that traditional historical accounts often focus too heavily on hierarchical structures, overlooking the influence of less formal networks.
7. He applies network theory to reexamine historical events, offering new perspectives on well-known periods and occurrences.
Modern Relevance
8. The book draws parallels between historical networks and modern digital networks, suggesting that current technological changes are part of a longer historical pattern.
9. Ferguson warns about the potential dangers of network disruption in the modern era, particularly in relation to social media and global connectivity.
Balance of Power
10. The author posits that the struggle between networks and hierarchies is ongoing, with power oscillating between these two forms of organization throughout history.
By presenting these arguments, Ferguson challenges readers to reconsider historical events through the lens of network theory and to recognize the significant role that informal connections and structures have played in shaping the course of human history.
Why I like it
This book is about the uneven ebb and flow of history. It distinguishes the long epochs in which hierarchical structures dominated human life from the rarer but more dynamic eras when networks had the advantage, thanks in part to changes in technology. To put it simply: when hierarchy is the order of the day, you are only as powerful as your rung on the organizational ladder of a state, corporation or similar vertically ordered institution. When networks gain an advantage, you can be as powerful as your position in one or more horizontally structured social groups. As we shall see, this dichotomy between hierarchy and network is an over-simplification. Nevertheless, some personal disclosures may illustrate its usefulness as a starting point.