# Consensus formation on heterogeneous networks

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2111.11949 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2111.11949/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 23 Nov 2021.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Directed Structural Adaptation to Overcome Statistical Conflicts and Enable Continual Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2412.04190/) (2024)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Reaching consensus -- a macroscopic state where the system constituents display the same microscopic state -- is a necessity in multiple complex socio-technical and techno-economic systems: their correct functioning ultimately depends on it. In many distributed systems -- of which blockchain-based applications are a paradigmatic example -- the process of consensus formation is crucial not only for the emergence of a leading majority but for the very functioning of the system. We build a minimalistic network model of consensus formation on blockchain systems for quantifying how central nodes -- with respect to their average distance to others -- can leverage on their position to obtain competitive advantage in the consensus process. We show that in a wide range of network topologies, the probability of forming a majority can significantly increase depending on the centrality of nodes that initiate the spreading. Further, we study the role that network topology plays on the consensus process: we show that central nodes in scale-free networks can win consensus in the network even if they broadcast states significantly later than peripheral ones.