Complex Networks Analysis of European International Trade: An Agent-Based Model

Economic systems involve many heterogeneous agents and their complex interactions. These lead many studies, in recent years, to focus on the complex networks. Agent based modelling and simulation (ABMS) is a powerful tool for analyzing such systems. This model enables interacting agents to assess individually their positions and makes decisions on the basis of a set of rules that configure the system. International trade can be thought of as a complex network since it consists of interacting heterogeneous agents (countries) with special characteristics. Network representation also makes it possible to analyze indirect trade interaction among countries. In this study the network of international trade of European countries is modelled by using an agent-based model. The aim is to display briefly the network structure of the European international trade.