Conflict in Networks

In: Sociological perspectives, Volume 41, Issue 1, p. 49-66

Abstract

The study of exchange in networks has been extremely fruitful, generating much theory and empirical analysis and uncovering basic structural principles governing the distribution of power in exchange networks. However, exchange is only one type of fundamental relation between actors. Willer's "Theory of Elementary Relations" proposes two others: coercion and conflict. There are several empirical studies of coercive relations but virtually no studies of conflict relations in networks. We propose a modified definition of conflict relations that we believe facilitates their experimental study. We then describe two experimental protocols designed to implement conflict relations as theoretical defined. Finally, we report on a study intended to evaluate the technical merits of each design and to provide a "proof of concept," namely, that conflict relations in networks can be studied experimentally.