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Agent-Based Modelling and Its Use in Sociology
Kudrnáčová, Michaela ; Soukup, Petr (advisor) ; Hájek, Martin (referee)
Master thesis elaborates on agent-based modelling (ABM, computer simulation method) founded on the concept of analytical sociology and its use in empirical sociology. The use is demonstrated by creation of a model based on the principal of environmental sociology studying the influence of social factors on the environment. Thesis works with the empirical- theoretical concept New ecological paradigm (NEP) measuring the values and opinions on the environment. The origin of the paper was motivated by the absence of the projects combining the method of empirically calibrated agent-based modelling and sociological grounds, particularly in the Czech context, but also abroad. Based on the environmental module of Czech data ISSP 2010 and research question "How parameters of social network influence the willingness to sort waste?" model was created and analyzed. Relationship between both types of agents (sorting and not sorting waste during the whole simulation) and their neighbourhood was found. The higher the number of neighbours, the more agents with this particular type of behaviour. The likelihood of bond creation with long-distance agent at the expence of bond abolition with close neighbour was without any influence on the number of non/sorting agents. It seems the agents tend to replicate behaviour...
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Agent-Based Analysis of Market Potential for Electric Vehicles in the Czech Republic
Wojnarová, Renáta ; Kukačka, Jiří (advisor) ; Chorna, Olena (referee)
This study explores the economical, ecological, and social impact of poten- tial rise of the number of electric vehicles in the Czech Republic. For this purpose, the methodology of agent-based modelling and cost-benefit analysis is used. Particularly, a simple agent-based model in the NetLogo software is created and calibrated to the Czech environment. It enables us to examine the impact of possible policies aimed at increasing electric vehicles' market potential. Results of the cost-benefit analysis suggest that under the current Czech conditions, over their whole life cycle, electric vehicles produce less CO2 emissions in comparison to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles and thus, are more ecological. With the actual policy without any financial incentives, however, electric vehicles' total costs connected to their purchase, usage and maintenance for an average Czech consumer are still higher com- pared to conventional vehicles. If the government would intend to signific- antly increase electric vehicles' market share, both financial incentives and policies making their everyday usage easier are suggested to be implemented. Purchase discounts together with accessibility advantages are, according to this analysis, the most effective ways. Charging infrastructure development and electricity...
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The Basic Income concept in the perspective of Agent-Based modelling
Macháček, Vít ; Janský, Petr (advisor) ; Malovaná, Simona (referee)
The Basic Income concept in the perspective of Agent-Based modelling Abstract: The thesis study the relationship between the basic income introduction and the price level. The basic income would replace the existing social security. The resulting redistribution induce changes in the aggregate demand through the concave consumption function. The aggregate demand in turn affect the price creation mechanism. Because the price level is a result of activity of many different agents with private motivation and information, the work used a simple macroeconomic agent-based model to isolate the relationship. The simulation however did not succeed in isolating the possible link between the price level and the basic income introduction.
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Banking Regulation: Assessment and Simulation of Regulatory Measures
Klinger, Tomáš ; Teplý, Petr (advisor) ; Jakubík, Petr (referee)
This thesis focuses on international banking regulation, particularly the capital adequacy requirements known as the Basel Accords. In the first part, we study the rationale for regulating the banks and describe the evolution of the Basel Accords, including the newly presented measures known as Basel III. The main conclusion of this part is that the regulation is heavily shaped by the banks themselves and does not always serve the best for protecting the financial system. In the second part dedicated to systemic risk modelling, we first introduce the used methodology and then build an agent-based model which enables us to simulate the impacts of various types of negative shocks given various settings of the banking system and the regulatory environment, including the capital and liquidity measures. Our simulations show firstly that sufficient capital buffers are crucial for systemic stability, secondly that the discretionary measures have little effect once a crisis breaks out and thirdly that liquidity measures are a relevant regulatory tool.
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Modelling of decision-making networks
Šilar, Pavel ; Burian, Jan (advisor) ; Šalamon, Tomáš (referee)
Delegative democracy is a new concept of democratic governance. It is meant as a new system of trust among people. It is derived from principles of direct democracy and presents only minimal form of representation. The voter is not forced to cast his vote directly, but it can be transferred to a delegate. Delegative democracy is based on openness, awareness and trust. It is still only a concept and for real application it has to face rising critics. Main issues are high costs, threat of populism and corruption and overall complexity. Agent-based modelling is chosen to test the validity of delelagative democracy principles. It is suitable for studying social phenomena such as democratic governance. Agent-based models apply a "new kind" of artificial intelligence -- a dynamic system composed of individual and autonomous units -- agents -- which interact within the environment. Universal methodology called Agentology is used to propose a new agent-based model. This methodology is composed of subsequent steps. These steps cover initial analysis, conceptual and technological proposal and development of the model itself. Assessment of delegative democracy principles is achieved with data acquired from the agent-based model. Delegative democracy is less effective for small and cooperative system than direct democracy. If more voters are delegating, this effectiveness decreases even more. This conclusion is based on initial parameters of the model. Delegating voters count is indeed a relevant parameter whereas total voters count is not. The model has its basic predicative value and is open to further elaboration.
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