Some things take time; but I have finally made available the full NetLogo code of an agent-based model that simulates different levels of political participation. In the process, I have attempted to use the ODD protocol to describe the simulation. Further description about my implementation of Milbrath’s model of political participation here, here, and here.
The simulation tackles the different levels of political participation to which individuals can be involved in politics: anything between being apathetic and uninterested in politics to holding a political office. It follows Milbrath’s description of the processes and mechanisms as closely as feasible, and results in a realistic dynamic equilibrium. Only one “ladder” of political participation is used, and apparently this works well enough. So yes, I can grow it…
Milbrath, L. 1960. “Predispositions toward Political Contention.” Western Political Quarterly XIII:5–18.
Milbrath, L. 1965. Political Participation: How and Why Do People Get Involved in Politics? Chicago: Rand McNally College Publishing Company.
Milbrath, L., and M. Goel. 1977. Political Participation: How and Why Do People Get Involved in Politics? Boston: Rand McNally College Publishing Company.
Ruedin, Didier. 2007. “Testing Milbrath’s 1965 Framework of Political Participation: Institutions and Social Capital.” Contemporary Issues and Ideas in Social Sciences 3(3).
Ruedin, Didier. 2011. “The Role of Social Capital in the Political Participation of Immigrants: Evidence from Agent-Based Modelling.” SFM Discussion Paper 27.
Didier Ruedin 