Consensus formation on heterogeneous networks

• Main Authors: FADDA, Edoardo, HE, Junda, TESSONE, Claudia J., BARUCCA, Paolo
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2022
• Subjects: Network theory; Distributed systems; Consensus formation; Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing; Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering; Theory and Algorithms
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/7216; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sis_research/article/8219/viewcontent/s13688_022_00347_5_pvoa_cc_by.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Reaching consensus-a macroscopic state where the system constituents display the same microscopic state-is a necessity in multiple complex socio-technical and techno-economic systems: their correct functioning ultimately depends on it. In many distributed systems-of which blockchain-based applications are a paradigmatic example-the process of consensus formation is crucial not only for the emergence of a leading majority but for the very functioning of the system. We build a minimalistic network model of consensus formation on blockchain systems for quantifying how central nodes-with respect to their average distance to others-can leverage on their position to obtain competitive advantage in the consensus process. We show that in a wide range of network topologies, the probability of forming a majority can significantly increase depending on the centrality of nodes that initiate the spreading. Further, we study the role that network topology plays on the consensus process: we show that central nodes in scale-free networks can win consensus in the network even if they broadcast states significantly later than peripheral ones.