A comparative study of reciprocity in two rural social networks in Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

In this paper a comparative social network analysis is provided of the villages of Ayyanapuramand Sankarapandiapuram in the district of Virudhunagar of Tamil Nadu province in India.Social network data on three different types of links (monetary help, advice and companionship)reveal that, while the villages are situated close to each other geographically, they differ considerablyin the structure of their social networks. The paper also illustrates a few commoncommunity detection algorithms.