The dynamics of public opinion under majority rules
The dynamics of public opinion under majority rules
This note explains the process of public opinion formation via a locally interactive, space-time analysis. The model we use is a special case of the general framework for modelling social interaction proposed in Blume and Durlauf (2001). In the reduced form of the model we study how each individual, when faced with the choice of one, out of two, opinions, tends to conform to the opinion held by the majority of her neighbours. We consider different, symmetric and asymmetric, majority rules. Depending on the specific behavioral rule, the aggregate process of opinion formation may display contagion on one specific opinion, or consensus among all individuals in the population, or co-existence of both opinions. Whenever consensus obtains, we observe the formation of homogeneous areas (clusters) that seem almost stationary along the dynamics.
majority rules, public opinion, contagion, co-existence, clustering, local interaction
University of Southampton
Ianni, A.
35024f65-34cd-4e20-9b2a-554600d739f3
Corradi, V.
b42d3437-61d6-4797-8327-e04d7a16d191
2001
Ianni, A.
35024f65-34cd-4e20-9b2a-554600d739f3
Corradi, V.
b42d3437-61d6-4797-8327-e04d7a16d191
Ianni, A. and Corradi, V.
(2001)
The dynamics of public opinion under majority rules
(Discussion Papers in Economics and Econometrics, 109)
Southampton, GB.
University of Southampton
27pp.
Record type:
Monograph
(Discussion Paper)
Abstract
This note explains the process of public opinion formation via a locally interactive, space-time analysis. The model we use is a special case of the general framework for modelling social interaction proposed in Blume and Durlauf (2001). In the reduced form of the model we study how each individual, when faced with the choice of one, out of two, opinions, tends to conform to the opinion held by the majority of her neighbours. We consider different, symmetric and asymmetric, majority rules. Depending on the specific behavioral rule, the aggregate process of opinion formation may display contagion on one specific opinion, or consensus among all individuals in the population, or co-existence of both opinions. Whenever consensus obtains, we observe the formation of homogeneous areas (clusters) that seem almost stationary along the dynamics.
More information
Published date: 2001
Keywords:
majority rules, public opinion, contagion, co-existence, clustering, local interaction
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 32960
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/32960
PURE UUID: 0c9e39f9-b4cc-494a-9d95-d758a04f1c6e
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Date deposited: 18 May 2006
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 02:51
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Contributors
Author:
V. Corradi
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