A Place for Neural Networks?

In my opinion, neural networks are some of the most interesting tools in computer science and other fields. Their applications are enormous, and it would be interesting to see how they can be applied to political issues.

While this sounds far-fetched, there is some research being done in this area. Journal articles are hard to come by in this area, but things like mathematical analyses of hostage situations and viewing terrorist organizations as chaotic structures are topics you will find in international relations journals. Another subject is mathematical sociology.

What about applications to political, or even economic, issues? The interesting thing about neural networks is they can theoretically find patterns that humans may overlook. With systems that have much too many variables for people to actually contemplate (i.e. economic systems, the stock market, civil wars), a complex neural network just may be the answer - or a means to one.