A Norms Decay Framework in Open Normative Multi-agent Systems

Abstract

In open normative multi-agent systems, norms are created dynamically. Some of these norms emerge and persist due to their benefits and strength. While other norms emerge for a short period of time, then vanish due to several reasons that lead to loss in their benefit or strength. Each norm of the created ones might have positive, negative, or neutral consequences on the system. Norms decay refers to the case in which a norm is not practiced or adopted by any of society's members, and eventually deleted and forgotten. In this paper, we analyze the concept of norms decay and introduce a framework that contains the cases of norms decay which are conceived from the literature. The proposed framework contains three cases of norms decay which are: Norms Removal, Norms Disappearance, and Norms Collapse. The first case needs an intervention from a powerful authority, while the latter two cases happen when society members stop adopting or violate a norm.