Phase of Ising spins on modular networks analogous to social polarization

Critical phenomena associated with order-disorder transitions have significant implications for understanding social phenomena, like consensus formation in society. Investigating the order-disorder transition for Ising spins on modular random networks, corresponding to consensus formation in society, two distinct phases have been observed : (i) ordering within each module at a critical temperature followed by (ii) global ordering at a lower temperature. This indicates polarization of society into groups having contrary opinions can persist indefinitely even when mutual interactions between agents favor consensus.

Reference:
Subinay Dasgupta, Raj Kumar Pan, and Sitabhra Sinha, Phys. Rev. E 80, 025101(R) (2009)