Disorder induced phase transition in kinetic models of opinion dynamics

4 pages, 3 eps figsInternational audienceWe propose a model of continuous opinion dynamics, where mutual interactions can be both positive and negative. Different types of distributions for the interactions, all characterised by a single parameter $p$ denoting the fraction of negative interactions, are considered. Results from exact calculation and numerical simulations indicate the existence of a universal continuous phase transition at $p=p_c$ below which a consensus is reached. In addition, the ordered and disordered regimes show desirable characteristic features close to reality