Decision-Theoretic Robustness for Network Models

Abstract

Bayesian network models (Erdos Renyi, stochastic block models, random dot product graphs, graphons) are widely used in neuroscience, epidemiology, and the social sciences, yet real networks are sparse, heterogeneous, and exhibit higher-order dependence. How stable are network-based decisions, model selection, and policy recommendations to small model misspecification? We study local decision-theoretic robustness by allowing the posterior to vary within a small Kullback-Leibler neighborhood and choosing actions that minimize worst-case posterior expected loss. Exploiting low-dimensional functionals available under exchangeability, we (i) adapt decision-theoretic robustness to exchangeable graphs via graphon limits and derive sharp small-radius expansions of robust posterior risk; under squared loss the leading inflation is controlled by the posterior variance of the loss, and for robustness indices that diverge at percolation/fragmentation thresholds we obtain a universal critical exponent describing the explosion of decision uncertainty near criticality. (ii) Develop a nonparametric minimax theory for robust model selection between sparse Erdos-Renyi and block models, showing-via robustness error exponents-that no Bayesian or frequentist method can uniformly improve upon the decision-theoretic limits over configuration models and sparse graphon classes for percolation-type functionals. (iii) Propose a practical algorithm based on entropic tilting of posterior or variational samples, and demonstrate it on functional brain connectivity and Karnataka village social networks.