Simulation of The Impact of Income Distribution on Social Unrest Using Agent-based Modeling Approach

Poverty and various forms of inequality, including class, gender, racial, and ethnic inequalities, are the consequences of imbalances of power relations and make society subject to social instability and unrest. makers.

 This study investigates the effects of income distribution on social unrest, using agent-based modeling. This model is simulated using Iranian data collected from an environment in which two groups of inteligent agents, i.e, citizens and military forces, exist. This intelligent model with an agent-based simulation approach, allows the policymaker to change the parameters and the assumptions of the model based on the prevailing conditions in society and to study the policy outcomes.

Based on the results obtained from the simulation when the level of reward for the military is low, the probability of victory of the rebellious citizens increases. But, when the military forces’ income is in the middle range, the likelihood of civil war is much higher and once their income is high, the higher is the probability of the government victory.

Employment is one of the main factores affecting the formation of individuals’s identity. Having a decent job and lower income inequalities in the society can contribute to social and political stability. Strengthening social capital will create interpersonal, intergroup and social solidarity and cohesion which lead to the lower likelihood of social unrest.