Model of opinion forming and voting

A simple model describing the dynamics of opinion forming in a two-party society is presented. Using a Monte Carlo simulation, we show what is the role played by the mobility of the electorate and the size of the groups within which opinions are exchanged. Each individual is characterized by its opinion and its susceptibility to the influence of others. We show what is the effect for a party to have a small percentage of supporters who will never change their mind. We determine when a party having at the beginning a smaller number of supporters, could nevertheless win democratic elections. The influence of an external random field (media) is also discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.