The book provides the first comprehensive, and accessible account of complex adaptive social systems, by two of the field's leading authorities. Such systems - whether political partiers, stock markets, or ant colonies - present some of the most intrifuing theoretical and practical challenges...

Introduction: the puzzle of growth in dictatorships -- Network theory of private protection -- Political institutions and consolidated dictatorship -- Private policies -- Stable pool of private enforcers -- Network of private protection -- Conclusion -- Appendix: Network data -- Notes --...