Metrics for network power based on Castells’ Network Theory of Power: a case study on Brazilian elections

• Main Authors: Letícia Verona, Jonice Oliveira, José Vitor da Cunha Hisse, Maria Luiza Machado Campos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2018-10-01
• Series: Journal of Internet Services and Applications
• Subjects: Government open data; Social network analysis; Big data; Power metrics
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13174-018-0092-5

Abstract The identification of power groups that act within the political structure is a tool for citizens and also a challenging research topic as an unstable and complex force of interests system. This paper presents metrics based on sociologist Manuel Castells’ Network Theory of Power that reflect key factors for evaluating power: the imbalance between relationships; the ability to program the rules and protocols of the network; and the ability to serve as a switcher between two or more networks. A case study was developed using a network built on data from Brazilian Elections about electoral donations since 2002. The application of the metrics enabled to highlight some of the corporate and party interests dominant in the Brazilian context. The proposed metrics reflect the main contribution of this work: an approximation between sociology theory and topological analysis of a network. The use of domain knowledge combined with bottom-up strategies can leverage the comprehension of power and influence in political networks.