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A norm enforcement mechanism for a time-constrained conditional normative framework

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Abstract

This paper presents the formalization for a system that monitors and enforces regulative time-constrained conditional norms through sanctioning, for agent societies. The representation here has the advantage of allowing for qualitative and quantitative interval-based temporal constraints between a norm’s condition and its effect. The system possesses mechanisms for monitoring both norm compliance and violation of reified norms. Each norm has an identity, which enables the identification of norms violated or complied with. The formalism seamlessly treats violation- or conformance-handling norms (such as violation notification, sanctioning and rewarding norms) as regular norms. The implementation formalizes norms as logic program clauses, the head of which specifies what normative position (i.e. the norm’s effect) an agent must observe within some time constraint of some arising situation; and the body of which describes a situation defined as the norm’s pre-condition and the role that the implicated agent plays within it. For the purpose of imposing sanctions, the only violations deemed liable are those violations that the agent fails to mitigate by compliance with all relevant contrary-to-duty norms. An agent may ultimately be sanctioned for a liable norm while norm compliance is rewarded in the system. Sanctioning itself takes place in two norm-guided phases: the obligation of an enforcer agent to notify an erring agent of reparative actions it is obliged to take and the time constraint within which it should be taken, and a norm for monitoring the agent’s compliance with the notification. The violation of the latter norm leads to the meting out of sanctions.

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Acknowledgements

This paper has gone through many revisions. The authors are very grateful to the seven (or probably less) referees who have painstakingly read through the earlier drafts of this paper and guided it through its three or so major “mutations”. That group includes three anonymous referees of JAAMAS whose comments were very helpful.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    B. O. Akinkunmi

  2. Department of Computer Studies, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Florence M. Babalola

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  1. B. O. Akinkunmi
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  2. Florence M. Babalola
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Correspondence to B. O. Akinkunmi.

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Akinkunmi, B.O., Babalola, F.M. A norm enforcement mechanism for a time-constrained conditional normative framework. Auton Agent Multi-Agent Syst 34, 20 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10458-020-09441-2

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