On the relationship between roles and power: preliminary report

This paper discusses a formal analysis of multi-agent systems based on organizational and normative concepts. Social agents (individuals and groups) and multi-agent systems have an underlying structure which is underpinned by roles. Power is legitimized within a social context and it stems from a role. In other words, agents draw their power from the authority positions that they hold in relation to other agents. How roles are intertwined with commitments, obligations, power, rights and authority relations is discussed.

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