Social Networks

Network analysis is inherently interdisciplinary with intellectual roots in political science, sociology, graph theory, anthropology, and psychology.Political network studies also regularly share methods and hypotheses with behavioral economics, policy studies, international relations, communication studies, and computational statistics (Victor et al., 2017).There is a further similarity in theoretical assumptions with network science, a field with its roots in physics, mathematics, and computer science.The shared frame of reference among all these disciplines is the focus on relations and an understanding that relational patterns shape agent perceptions and system dynamics.For poli tics this entails a specific focus on power and its distribution, as well as ways in which coordination and collective action are negotiated.The methodological foundations of the field are explored by Lazer (2011).This review is organized in a series of thematic areas for the 20 highimpact research papers curated by the editors.A concluding section provides an overview of methodological challenges and exciting future directions.