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In this paper, we study the influence of a small group of agents (i.e., a lobby) that is trying to spread a rumor in a population by using the known model proposed by Serge Galam. In particular, lobbies are modeled as subgroups of individuals who strategically choose their seating in the social space in order to protect their opinions and influence others. We consider different social gatherings and simulate, using finite Markovian chains, opinion dynamics by comparing situations with a lobby to those without a lobby. Our results show how the lobby can influence opinion dynamics in terms of the prevailing opinion and the mean time to reach unanimity. The approach that we take overcomes some of the problems that behavioral economics and psychology have recently struggled with in terms of replicability. This approach is related to the methodological revolution that is slowly changing the dominant perspective in psychology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pioneering work of John Barkley Rosser Jr. (1948-2023) in various subfields of economics emphasizes the fact that economic and social phenomena are inherently nonlinear and often discontinuous. From this standpoint, Barkley has contributed substantially to a paradigm shift in economic theory and modelling. Both his influential research work and his unceasing survey work on different approaches and schools of thought in economics and social science, carried out through the lens of complexity theory, have succeeded to develop a broader view on economic thinking and continue to inspire many researchers worldwide. The articles in this issue cover a number of research areas and themes that were central to Barkley's work, from technological progress to evolutionary competition between firms, from regional science to income inequality, from environmental economics to more general macroeconomic themes, such as bubbles and crashes, financial instabilities and policy issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]