Authority Measure for Opinion Dynamics

Abstract

We propose a formal framework for measuring the authority of individuals in a setting of opinion dynamics. Our framework is based on an axiomatic approach in the tradition of coalitional game theory. We show that the unique solution concept satisfying our axioms is a generalization of the "authority distribution" notion of Hu and Shapley (GEB 2003). A novelty of our approach is that it is based on the dynamics of opinion exchange rather than on network topology. However, for any fixed opinion dynamics, our approach associates a network centrality measure with any given network topology. Previous as well as new network centrality measures are obtained in this way.

Keywords: authority distribution; centrality measures; opinion dynamics, centrality measure

JEL Classification: C71