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The Decline in Partisanship

A Test of Four Explanations

University of Alabama

This study examines four explanations associated with the rationalistic or cognitive model of party identification for the decline in partisanship. The results of the study show that several factors affect the number of Independents within the electorate. Some of these factors have different effects on the partisanship of younger and older, and Northern and Southern citizens. Other factors have a more general influence on partisanship. Perceptions of the importance or relevance of parties, especially as a means for making electoral choices, affect the level of partisanship among all population groups examined. Evaluations of the Democratic and Republican parties affect the partisanship of both younger and older Northerners, but not Southerners.

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