Opinion Formation — an Elementary Example of Semi-Quantitative Sociology

摘要: In this chapter the type of model structure to be developed will illustrated using an explicit example. The opinion formation presented here and first introduced quantitative sociology by one authors [1.36, 37], is appropriate example for following reasons: a) All relevant types equation (master equation, Fokker-Planck Langevin mean value equation) their interrelations can set up in elementary, essentially self-contained manner. illustration therefore serves simultaneously as introduction these equations some important properties. b) The solved situations either exactly or (quite well) approximately. c) The solutions illustrate processes phase transition bifurcation accompanied critical fluctuations a most simple way. d) The characteristics are stable with respect detailed realistic extensions modelling features. It lends itself semi-quantitative interpretation certain political processes.