The Evolution of Complex Networks: A New Framework
Abstract
We introduce a new framework for the analysis of the dynamics of networks, based on randomly reinforced urn (RRU) processes, in which the weight of the edges is determined by a reinforcement mechanism. We rigorously explain the empirical evidence that in many real networks there is a subset of "dominant edges" that control a major share of the total weight of the network. Furthermore, we introduce a new statistical procedure to study the evolution of networks over time, assessing if a given instance of the nework is taken at its steady state or not. Our results are quite general, since they are not based on a particular probability distribution or functional form of the weights. We test our model in the context of the International Trade Network, showing the existence of a core of dominant links and determining its size.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1203.1349,
title = {The Evolution of Complex Networks: A New Framework},
author = {Guido Caldarelli and Alessandro Chessa and Irene Crimaldi and Fabio Pammolli},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1203.1349},
year = {2012}
}
Comments
4 pages and 2 figures