Fixation results for the two-feature Axelrod model with a variable number of opinions (Q501829)

The Axelrod model is a spatial stochastic setting for the dynamics of cultures governed by two social mechanisms, which are homophily (= the tendency of individuals to interact more frequently with individuals who are more similar) and social influence (= the tendency of individuals to become more similar as the result of their interactions). The model is formulated as an interacting particle system \(\eta_t\) on a one-dimensional lattice, namely, \[ \eta_t: \mathbb Z\rightarrow\{1,2,\ldots,q\}^F, \] where the integers \(F\) and \(q\) are, respectively, the number of cultural features and the number of possible opinions per cultural feature. Given that two neighbors disagree about \(j\) cultural features, a given neighbor mimics the other one for a given cultural feature for which they disagree at the rate \[ r(j):=(1/2)(1/j)(1-j/F). \] Accordingly, the generator of the continuous-time Markov process \(\eta_t,\;t\geq 0\), is defined. The previous study of the model focused on the question about fluctuation (= individuals change their culture infinitely often) or fixation (= individuals change their culture a finite number of times) of the process. The present work deals with a more realistic version of the original Axelrod model for which the authors prove that the system fixates whenever \[ F/q<(1-1/q)^{F-1}. \]