Bifurcations and Patterns in Compromise Processes
E. Ben-Naim, P.L. Krapivsky, and S. Redner
We study an opinion dynamics model in which agents reach compromise
via pairwise interactions. When the opinions of two agents are
sufficiently close, they both acquire the average of their initial
opinions; otherwise, they do not interact. Generically, the system
reaches a steady state with a finite number of isolated,
noninteracting opinion clusters (``parties''). As the initial opinion
range increases, the number of such parties undergoes a periodic
sequence of bifurcations. Both major and minor parties emerge, and
these are organized in alternating pattern. This behavior is
illuminated by considering discrete opinion states.
source,
ps,
pdf