Polarization in Networks: Identification-alienation Framework

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive framework for measuring polarization in networks, generalizing existing axioms and identifying a specific model suitable for practical application in various network types.

Contribution

It introduces a unifying polarization measurement framework for networks and characterizes the unique model fitting this purpose within a broad class.

Findings

Identifies a specific polarization measure applicable to networks

Generalizes the axiomatic foundation for polarization measurement

Provides a theoretical basis for polarization analysis in network structures

Abstract

We introduce a model of polarization in networks as a unifying framework for the measurement of polarization that covers a wide range of applications. We consider a sufficiently general setup for this purpose: node- and edge-weighted, undirected, and connected networks. We generalize the axiomatic characterization of Esteban and Ray (1994) and show that only a particular instance within this class can be used justifiably to measure polarization in networks.