Structural Balance in Game of Thrones
A balanced relationship can be formed in a few ways, with three nodes being tied all by positive connections or two negative connections and one single positive one. This system in which there are two negative ties and one positive tie is based on a Arab proverb commonly known, as “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”. For those of us who watch Game of Thrones we know that this phrase is true but for those of us who don’t watch GoT this is a heads up that this post will contain spoilers.
In Game of Thrones Jon Snow is trying to defend his kingdom from the White Walkers, which are kept at bay only by the northern wall and what little forces Snow has at his command. North of the wall is where the White Walkers are growing and expanding south but it is also where the free folk live who are called the Wildlings. Snow knows that the White Walkers are coming but and that his forces are completely out numbered and unprepared to face them. To help balance out this disadvantage Snow try’s to recruit the help of the Wildlings, who also fear the White Walkers that threaten their way of life too. This is a classic example of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” considering both Snow and the Wildlings see the White Walkers as their enemies and want to fight them off. As an over all result Snow and the Wildlings make a defensive pact and form an alliance to fight the White Walkers. This forms a balanced relationship in which Snow and the Wildlings have a positive tie while they both have negative ties with the White walkers. This is a very natural balanced relationship because it makes a lot of sense that if there is a mutual enemy then they can grow to form a positive relationship by uniting against this common enemy and form a positive relationship.
Source:
http://www.thetvjunkies.com/game-of-thrones-hardhome/