Modeling structural power in hypergraphs: An application to the interstate alliances network

Abstract

In this article, we develop a novel approach for modeling structural power in social networks, arguing that social agents also derive power from the direct or indirect social support they receive from other agents. We conceptualize structural power as a complex outcome of interconnection between agents at different scales of network structure, micro, meso, and macro. Structural power enhances the capabilities of a social agent through interdependence and emergence. Each agent benefits from the capabilities of others, so that they collectively become capable of accomplishing more than each could accomplish on its own. We model structural power using hypergraphs and Spectral Graph Theory. In this way, hyperdyadic associations and structural affinities are effectively captured. Our modeling approach is applied on the interstate alliances hypergraph. We find that taking into account structural power is crucial for detecting latent power interdependencies, for revealing the full extent of the capabilities of prominent states, and for enhancing power comparisons. The contemporary relevance of our findings is highlighted by the Russo-Ukrainian war as well as the Iran-Israel war.