Information Theoretic Approach to Social Networks
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Keywords

Social networks
Economic networks
Information theory.

How to Cite

KAFRI, O. (2017). Information Theoretic Approach to Social Networks. Journal of Economic and Social Thought, 4(1), 77–83. https://doi.org/10.1453/jest.v4i1.1162

Abstract

Abstract. We propose an information theoretic model for sociological networks. The model is a micro canonical ensemble of states and particles. The states are the possible pairs of nodes (i.e. people, sites and alike) which exchange information. The particles are the energetic information bits. With analogy to bosons gas, we define for these networks’ model: entropy, volume, pressure and temperature. We show that these definitions are consistent with Carnot efficiency (the second law) and ideal gas law. Therefore, if we have two large networks: hot and cold having temperatures TH and TC and we remove Q energetic bits from the hot network to the cold network we can save W profit bits. The profit will be calculated from W< Q (1-TH/TC), namely, Carnot formula. In addition it is shown that when two of these networks are merged the entropy increases. This explains the tendency of economic and social networks to merge.

Keywords: Social networks, Economic networks, Information theory.

JEL. C62.

https://doi.org/10.1453/jest.v4i1.1162
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