Majority-vote dynamics on multiplex networks with two layers

Abstract

Majority-vote model is a much-studied model for social opinion dynamics of two competing opinions. With the recent appreciation that our social network comprises a variety of different ‘layers’ forming a multiplex network, a natural question arises on how such multiplex interactions affect the social opinion dynamics and consensus formation. Here, the majority-vote processes will be studied on multiplex networks with two layers to understand the effect of multiplexity on opinion dynamics. We will discuss how global consensus is reached by different types of voters: AND- and OR-rule voters on multiplex-network and voters on single-network system. The AND-model reaches the largest consensus below the critical noise parameter qc. It needs, however, much longer time to reach consensus than other models. In the vicinity of the transition point, the consensus collapses abruptly. The OR-model attains smaller level of consensus than the AND-rule but reaches the consensus more quickly. Its consensus transition is continuous. The numerical simulation results are supported qualitatively by analytical calculations based on the approximate master equation.