Contagion in Stable Networks

Bougheas, Spiros

Contagion in Stable Networks

No 2017.50, Working Papers from Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei

Abstract: We study the formation of networks in environments where agents derive benefits from other agents directly linked to them but suffer losses through contagion when any agent on a path connected to them is hit by a shock. We first consider networks with undirected links (e.g. epidemics, underground resistance organizations, trade networks) where we find that stable networks are comprised of completely connected disjoint subnetworks. Then, we consider networks with directed links and we find that the completely connected network is stable, although, its exact structure, and thus contagion implications, is sensitive to parameter values for costs and benefits. Lastly, we introduce aggregate externalities (e.g. fire sales for the case of financial networks) and we find that stable networks can be asymmetric, connected but not completely connected, thus capturing the main features of inter-industry and financial networks.

Keywords: Network Formation; Stability; Contagion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C72 D85 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-gth
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Related works:
Working Paper: Contagion in Stable Networks (2017)
Working Paper: Contagion in Stable Networks (2017)
Working Paper: Contagion in stable networks (2017)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:fem:femwpa:2017.50

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