Abstract

The study of balance and imbalance in signed networks has been a key topic for over 80 years. Starting with Heider's theory of structural balance and Harary's balance theorem, the measurement and understanding of structural balance in networks has grown exponentially. Most theoretical and empirical studies, however, focus on the conceptualization, measurement, and analysis of imbalance in single networks. We offer a methodology for measuring imbalance in multiplexes. We show that a multiplex composed of l layers can be imbalanced even if all of its component networks are balanced. We also demonstrate the differences between structural imbalance in individual layers of a multiplex and structural imbalance in the multiplex as a whole. These findings are then illustrated with data on international alliance and conflict in international relations and roll call votes in the US Senate. We end our paper by discussing the theoretical and empirical implications of our analyses.

Date

2018

Authors

Keith Burghardt, Zeev Maoz

Journal

Available at SSRN 3192890