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Collective strategy condensation towards class-separated societies

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  • Claudius Gros

    (Goethe University Frankfurt)

Abstract

In physics, the wavefunctions of bosonic particles collapse when the system undergoes a Bose–Einstein condensation. In game theory, the strategy of an agent describes the probability to engage in a certain course of action. Strategies are expected to differ in competitive situations, namely when there is a penalty to do the same as somebody else. We study what happens when agents are interested how they fare not only in absolute terms, but also relative to others. This preference, denoted envy, is shown to induce the emergence of distinct social classes via a collective strategy condensation transition. Members of the lower class pursue identical strategies, in analogy to the Bose–Einstein condensation, with the upper class remaining individualistic. Graphical abstract

Suggested Citation

  • Claudius Gros, 2022. "Collective strategy condensation towards class-separated societies," The European Physical Journal B: Condensed Matter and Complex Systems, Springer;EDP Sciences, vol. 95(6), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eurphb:v:95:y:2022:i:6:d:10.1140_epjb_s10051-022-00362-5
    DOI: 10.1140/epjb/s10051-022-00362-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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