I apologize, what do you mean by proxies?
Do you have any recommendations for a less-abstracted view of history (focusing on individuals rather than their emergent structures)? Or branches of philosophy that are particularly illuminating in this context?
An Aesop's Fable from 2000+ years ago about influence in a network:
"A trumpeter being taken prisoner in a battle, begged hard for quarter. "Spare me, good sirs, I beseech you," said he, "and put me not to death without cause, for I have killed no one myself, nor have I any arms but this trumpet only." "For that very reason," said they who had seized him, "shall you the sooner die, for without the spirit to fight, yourself, you stir up others to warfare and bloodshed."
He who incites strife is worse than he who takes part in it."