1. Introduction 2. Game Theory: Strategic Interactions 3. Evolutionary Game Theory and Dynamical Systems: Decentralised Decision-Making and Spontaneous Order 4. Markov Chains and Stochastic Stability: Understanding Cultural Universals 5. Individual Threshold Models and Public Signals: Fads, Riots, and Revolutions 6. Social Networks and Graph Theory: Small World Effects and Social Change 7. Peer Effects and Spatial Game Theory: Local and Global Efficiency 8. Agent-Based Modelling: Cascades and Self-Organised Criticality 9. Chaos Theory: Non-Linear Dynamics and Social Complexity
Biography
Sebastian Ille is Associate Professor of Economics at the Northeastern University - London, UK, and Editor-in-Chief of the International Social Science Journal.
"Drawing on a rich array of historical and contemporary examples, this book provides an introduction to dynamical systems theory and how it elucidates the complex interplay of political, economic, and social factors that give rise to social norms and institutions. The exposition is exceptionally clear and tailored to different levels of mathematical preparation. It will appeal to experts as well as students across the social sciences." -- H. Peyton Young, University of Oxford & London School of Economics, UK
"An interdisciplinary book on complexity, a guided tour through mathematical methods ranging from evolutionary game theory, dynamical systems, Markov chains and graph theory to bifurcations and chaos, with applications to nonlinear social sciences. A rigorous introduction delivered by an intriguing storytelling approach." -- Gian Italo Bischi, Professor of Applied Mathematics, University of Urbino, Italy
