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Model reduction for agent-based social simulation: Coarse-graining a civil violence model

Author(s): Zou, Yu; Fonoberov, VA; Fonoberova, M; Mezic, I; Kevrekidis, Yannis G.

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Abstract: Agent-based modeling (ABM) constitutes a powerful computational tool for the exploration of phenomena involving emergent dynamic behavior in the social sciences. This paper demonstrates a computer-assisted approach that bridges the significant gap between the single-agent microscopic level and the macroscopic (coarse-grained population) level, where fundamental questions must be rationally answered and policies guiding the emergent dynamics devised. Our approach will be illustrated through an agent-based model of civil violence. This spatiotemporally varying ABM incorporates interactions between a heterogeneous population of citizens [active (insurgent), inactive, or jailed] and a population of police officers. Detailed simulations exhibit an equilibrium punctuated by periods of social upheavals. We show how to effectively reduce the agent-based dynamics to a stochastic model with only two coarse-grained degrees of freedom: the number of jailed citizens and the number of active ones. The coarse-grained model captures the ABM dynamics while drastically reducing the computation time (by a factor of approximately 20). © 2012 American Physical Society.
Publication Date: 8-Jun-2012
Citation: Zou, Y, Fonoberov, VA, Fonoberova, M, Mezic, I, Kevrekidis, YG. (2012). Model reduction for agent-based social simulation: Coarse-graining a civil violence model. Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics, 85 (6), 10.1103/PhysRevE.85.066106
DOI: doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.85.066106
ISSN: 1539-3755
EISSN: 1550-2376
Pages: 066106-1 - 066106-13
Type of Material: Journal Article
Journal/Proceeding Title: Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
Version: Final published version. Article is made available in OAR by the publisher's permission or policy.



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