Power Dynamics Virtual Lab

Exploring Influence Networks with Ideal Flow Analysis

IFN Lab: Power Dynamics

By Kardi Teknomo, PhD
iFN

< Previous | Index | Next >

Core Concepts

Power = Influence an actor has over others in a network

Capacity Matrix = Input showing relationship strengths

Ideal Flow Matrix = Balanced power distribution (output)

Key Principles:

1. Irreducible

Networks must be strongly connected

Strongly Connected Network
Every point can reach
any other point by following links

2. Premagic

Ideal Flow = Balanced Power (∑ inflows = ∑ outflows)

Premagic Flow
Power is balanced when
what goes in equals what goes out

Incomplete Network

Incomplete networks create dictatorships (sources) or redundancies (sinks)

Incomplete Network
Leads to unchecked controllers (sources)
or removable elements (sinks)

Why Balance Matters: Without balanced power, influence concentrates, creating inefficiencies, unfair systems, or even system collapse.

Network Types

Premier Network

Minimal whole-number flows preserving connections

Focus: Structural relationships

Best for: Analyzing network topology

Premier Network:
Uses the original network structure but may change some flow ratios.
It finds the smallest whole‐number flows that keep each node connected.
Think of it like finding a simplest 'prime' building block of flows.

Cardinal Network

Exact proportional scaling to strength of influences

Focus: Precision ratios

Best for: Real-world applications

Cardinal Network:
Preserves the exact flow proportions (stochastic matrix) from the input.
It scales all fractions by the least common multiple so every flow is a whole number.
This one exactly matches the original ratios but can produce large values.

Comparison Insight: Premier focuses on network structure while Cardinal provides exact strength proportions as the input capacity matrix.

Power Dynamics Lecture:
Explore how network structure shapes power using Ideal Flow Networks, signatures, and real-world examples.

Lab Instructions

1. Generate Matrix

Create random irreducible capacity matrix

2. Visualize Matrix

View relationship strengths

3. Analyze Properties

Check: Irreducible? Premagic? Ideal Flow? Symmetric?

4. Compute IFN

Transform to ideal flow matrix (choose network type)

5. Interpret Power Distribution

Observe power balance and the power of target node (customer in business, people in politics, building in construction)

Critical Step: Always ensure matrix is irreducible (i.e. strongly connected network) before computing ideal flow!

Power Dynamics Lab:
The IFN Power Dynamics Lab is an interactive virtual tool that lets you explore how influence shifts within a network by simulating changes in relationships using Ideal Flow Network analysis.

Key Experiments

Power Shift

Change one link strength → Observe power redistribution

  • Strengthen a weak link: Does power concentrate?
  • Weaken a strong link: Who gains influence?

Network Comparison

Run all network types → Note differences

  • Which actors gain/lose power in each type?
  • When would you use Premier vs. Cardinal?

Broken Systems

Given disconnected network → Check Irreducibility

  • Add node which is the target of the system and form closed feedback loop by adding communication links to make strongly connected network
  • Add minimum links to restore bidirectional communication
  • Optionally create symmetric network structure

Centrality Explorer

Test all centrality types → Discover unique insights

  • Which nodes are most influential in each measure?
  • When do short-term vs. long-term influence matter?

Why Ideal Flow Matters

Ideal Flow Networks reveal hidden power structures that aren't apparent in raw capacity matrices, showing who truly influences whom when the system reaches equilibrium.

The principles of Ideal Flow Networks apply universally across systems. By understanding the core concepts, you can adapt IFN analysis to any context where power dynamics matter.

Universal Application Framework

Identify Your Actors

Who are the key players? Look for entities that can influence, communicate with, or control others. These could be people, departments, organizations, or even abstract concepts like "public opinion" or "market forces."

Consider the Factors

What drives the dynamics? Explore underlying elements—social, economic, technological—that shape outcomes or constraints. These can overlap with actors or stand alone as background forces.

Map the Relationships

How do they interact? Identify channels of influence, communication, authority, feedback, or resource flow. Consider both formal relationships (org charts, laws) and informal ones (networks, culture, trust).

Question the Balance

Who has too much or too little power? Look for concentration points that create bottlenecks, single points of failure, or marginalized voices that should have more influence.

Tweak the Structure

What if we changed the network? Try adding or removing nodes, or reconfiguring links between them. This alters how influence flows, who has access, and where new possibilities emerge.

Adjust Influence Strength

What if the same actors had more or less sway? Experiment with varying the intensity of relationships. The IFN helps you see how even subtle changes in influence reshape power dynamics.

Common Patterns Across Domains

Hierarchical Systems

Organizations, governments, families - where formal authority meets informal influence

Stakeholder Networks

Multi-party situations where different groups have competing interests but must collaborate

Market Dynamics

Economic systems where suppliers, consumers, regulators, and intermediaries interact

Communication Systems

Information flow networks where message control, filtering, and amplification matter

System Principle

Sustainable systems require checks and balances. Power must flow in accountable feedback loops — not concentrate — so no single entity can dominate without oversight. Every node must influence and be influenced, ensuring mutual regulation and preventing single-point control. Healthy networks avoid both dictatorships (source nodes that only output influence) and redundant dead ends (sink nodes that only receive influence). The Flow of Power must circulate — not concentrate — for long-term stability.

Examples Real-World Applications

Business

Balance power across departments and foster customer-centric innovation

Community Development

Ensure equitable resource distribution among stakeholders

Politics

Empower citizens and strengthen democratic checks and balances

Social Networks

Identify influencers, bridges, and echo chambers

Economics

Redistribute resources to reduce income inequality

Organizational Design

Create dynamic feedback systems for adaptive structures

Education

Shape student–teacher dynamics for inclusive learning environments

Urban Planning

Balance developer, government, and citizen influences

Disaster Response

Coordinate agencies and community voices in crises

Legal Systems

Ensuring fairness in judicial proceedings and reducing corruption

International Relations

Shape diplomatic alliances and power equilibria

Supply Chain Management

Optimize stakeholder influence for resilient logistics

Sports Teams

Align coach, player, and management dynamics for peak performance

Healthcare

Balance patient–provider authority to improve access and outcomes

Workplace

Negotiate salaries and benefits to empower employees

Social Movements

Understanding the rise and fall of movements based on power shifts

Artificial Intelligence

Balancing influence in AI ethics and governance

Environmental Policy

Balance corporate influence with ecological sustainability

Student Challenge

Model a 4-actor system (e.g., family members or project team):

  1. Define capacity matrix showing influence relationships
  2. Compute ideal flows using different network types (Premier/Cardinal)
  3. Answer: "Who holds the most power? How would you balance influence?"

Lab Tool: IFN Power Dynamics

-->

Input Capacity Matrix


Pattern of Capacity Matrix

Convert to IFN




Output Ideal Flow Matrix


Pattern of Ideal Flow Matrix

Ideal Flow Network Visualization