arrow
Return

A Network Formation Model Based on Subgraphs

delete2025-02-28
delete0
PRE
AI
A
Arun G. Chandrasekhar
M
Matthew O. Jackson *
DOI:10.1093/restud/rdaf013delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
We develop a new class of random graph models for the statistical estimation of network formation-subgraph generated models (SUGMs). Various subgraphs-e.g. links, triangles, cliques, stars-are generated and their union results in a network. We show that SUGMs are identified and establish the consistency and asymptotic distribution of parameter estimators in empirically relevant cases. We show that a simple four-parameter SUGM matches basic patterns in empirical networks more closely than four standard models (with many more dimensions): (1) stochastic block models; (2) models with node-level unobserved heterogeneity; (3) latent space models; and (4) exponential random graphs. We illustrate the framework's value via several applications using networks from rural India. We study whether network structure helps enforce risk-sharing and whether cross-caste interactions are more likely to be private. We also develop a new central limit theorem for correlated random variables, which is required to prove our results and is of independent interest.
Keywords:
Subgraphs
Random networks
Random graphs
Exponential random graph models
Exponential family
Social networks
Network formation
Consistency
Central limit theorem
Sparse networks
Multiplex
Multigraphs

Journal

Review of Economic Studies cover
Review of Economic Studies
IF:
6.4
Papers:
2.5K
Citations:
2.1W

Organization

S
st fe inst
Scholars:
2
Papers: 2
Citations: 1