Entropic analysis of a hierarchically organized Axelrod model

Abstract

Hierarchically organized patterns are ubiquitously found in complex systems, however most Sociophysics models still assume random initial conditions. In this article, we study a simple and quasi-non-parametric version of Axelrod’s model of cultural dynamics, where individuals are initially arranged following structured spatial and ideological patterns. We explore how different levels of initial structural complexity influence the system’s evolution, identifying distinct regimes of controllability and cultural diversity, which can be interpreted through an entropy-based perspective. We show that maximum cultural diversification occurs within a specific range of initial structural organization, corresponding to a regime of high entropy and unpredictability. Moreover, we observe a quantization phenomenon, where only certain discrete types of final cultural configurations emerge.