Equations of Power

Mathematical models have become one of the principal infrastructures through which contemporary societies are governed, shaping decisions in science, policy and the economy, often beyond meaningful public scrutiny. Used in domains such as climate change, finance, public health and environmental policy, models do more than describe the world: they frame problems, distribute responsibility and influence collective choices. Their technical complexity often confers epistemic authority, enabling them to shape policy while remaining largely insulated from critical examination.Equations of Power explores how mathematical models acquire this authority, why they have become such influential instruments of governance, and what happens when their assumptions and limitations remain insufficiently examined. Drawing on examples from pandemic modelling, climate policy, economic forecasting and environmental assessment, the book argues that models are best understood as socio-technical instruments embedded within political and institutional processes rather than as neutral technical tools. It concludes by examining practical proposals for making modelling more transparent, accountable and scientifically robust.