Community detection in networks with positive and negative links

Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2009 Sep;80(3 Pt 2):036115. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.80.036115. Epub 2009 Sep 21.

Abstract

Detecting communities in complex networks accurately is a prime challenge, preceding further analyses of network characteristics and dynamics. Until now, community detection took into account only positively valued links, while many actual networks also feature negative links. We extend an existing Potts model to incorporate negative links as well, resulting in a method similar to the clustering of signed graphs, as dealt with in social balance theory, but more general. To illustrate our method, we applied it to a network of international alliances and disputes. Using data from 1993-2001, it turns out that the world can be divided into six power blocs similar to Huntington's civilizations, with some notable exceptions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Feedback
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Population Dynamics*
  • Residence Characteristics*
  • Social Behavior*
  • Social Support*