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Consent or Conflict: Coevolution of Coordination and Networks

Author

Listed:
  • Vincent Buskens

    (Department of Sociology /Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS), Utrecht University, v.buskens@uu.nl)

  • Rense Corten

    (Department of Sociology /Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS), Utrecht University)

  • Jeroen Weesie

    (Department of Sociology /Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS), Utrecht University)

Abstract

Societies are sometimes divided into groups that behave in different ways or have strongly opposing opinions. At other times, everyone seems to behave according to similar principles and opinions. It is likely that individual decisions on behavior or opinions are affected by social networks through influence and selection processes. However, the outcomes are not necessarily optimal for the society as a whole. Two types of problems might arise: (a) polarization of the society into two camps that do not reach consensus, possibly leading to conflict; (b) actors choosing suboptimal behavior, because changing behavior is too risky if done unilaterally. Simulations show that if a society is rather segregated initially, there exists a heightened probability that this situation will worsen. The effect of network density is twofold. First, density has a positive effect on reaching a uniform opinion and, therefore, decreases the likelihood of polarization. Second, density increases the likelihood that actors do not change their behavior, worsening the inefficiency of already suboptimal initial situations.

Suggested Citation

  • Vincent Buskens & Rense Corten & Jeroen Weesie, 2008. "Consent or Conflict: Coevolution of Coordination and Networks," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 45(2), pages 205-222, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:joupea:v:45:y:2008:i:2:p:205-222
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    Cited by:

    1. Duca, John V. & Saving, Jason L., 2018. "What drives economic policy uncertainty in the long and short runs: European and U.S. evidence over several decades," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 128-145.
    2. Vincent Buskens & Chris Snijders, 2016. "Effects of Network Characteristics on Reaching the Payoff-Dominant Equilibrium in Coordination Games: A Simulation study," Dynamic Games and Applications, Springer, vol. 6(4), pages 477-494, December.
    3. Frey Vincenz & Corten Rense & Buskens Vincent, 2012. "Equilibrium Selection in Network Coordination Games: An Experimental Study," Review of Network Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 11(3), pages 1-28, September.
    4. Flaminio Squazzoni, 2010. "The impact of agent-based models in the social sciences after 15 years of incursions," History of Economic Ideas, Fabrizio Serra Editore, Pisa - Roma, vol. 18(2), pages 197-234.

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