Phase transition in hierarchy model of Bonabeau et al

TL;DR

This paper investigates a hierarchy model showing a sharp phase transition from egalitarian to hierarchical societies as population density increases, by incorporating feedback mechanisms into fight success probabilities.

Contribution

It introduces a feedback mechanism into Bonabeau's hierarchy model, revealing a clear phase transition driven by population density.

Findings

Sharp transition between egalitarian and hierarchical states

Feedback from social inequality influences fight success

High population density promotes hierarchy formation

Abstract

The model of Bonabeau explains the emergence of social hierarchies from the memory of fights in an initially egalitarian society. Introducing a feedback from the social inequality into the probability to win a fight, we find a sharp transition between egalitarian society at low population density and hierarchical society at high population density.