This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by SHEA, D. M. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

The Passing of Realignment and the Advent of the "Base-less" Party System

Lafayette College

This article is an attempt to merge two of the more significant developments in recent American politics: the failure of our system to undergo a partisan-based realignment and the advent of service-oriented party organizations. Whereas traditional explanations of the "missing realignment" center around the attitudes of voters and/or the activities of candidates, this article suggests the parties are to blame. That is, the goals and activities of contemporary party organizations often frustrate voter attachment to parties, as well as the development of coherent platforms. Critical realignments have become a thing of the past. Yet, we have moved into a new era characterized by aggressive, national organizations, which I dub the "base-less" party system.

American Politics Research, Vol. 27, No. 1, 33-57 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/1532673X99027001004


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?