Network-based dissolution

Abstract

We introduce a graph-theoretic dissolution model that applies to a number of redistribution scenarios such as gerrymandering in political districting or work balancing in an online situation. The central aspect of our model is the deletion of certain vertices and the redistribution of their loads to neighboring vertices in a perfectly balanced way. We investigate how the underlying graph structure, the pre-knowledge of which vertices should be deleted, and the relation between old and new vertex loads influence the computational complexity of the underlying graph problems. Our results establish a clear borderline between tractable and intractable cases. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.