Networks for the future: A mathematical network analysis of the partnership data for sustainable development goals

Abstract

This research project analyzes the Partnership Data for Sustainable Development Goals to determine geographical coverage of the projects as well as the relationships of project proponents working in support of sustainable development. We perform a network analysis of the project proponents and measure connectivity through a variety of mathematical modeling techniques including degree rank, betweenness centrality, cut degree and pagerank metrics. We observe that the network consists of one giant component containing a majority of entities surrounded by a corona of small independent clusters. We conclude that mathematical modeling supports existing scholarly literature that proclaims sustainable development as a soft law paradigm with widespread support.