📚 Topic Summary
Party realignment refers to dramatic shifts in voting patterns, creating new coalitions of party support. These realignments often occur during critical elections and represent a long-term change in the dominant political party. Dealignment, on the other hand, is the weakening of party identification among voters. It leads to increased independence and split-ticket voting, making elections more volatile and less predictable.
🧠 Part A: Vocabulary
Match the terms with their definitions:
- Term: Critical Election
- Term: Party Identification
- Term: Split-Ticket Voting
- Term: Secular Realignment
- Term: Coalition
- Definition: A group of individuals with diverse interests who unite to support a political party or cause.
- Definition: An election that signals a lasting shift in party allegiance and the balance of power between parties.
- Definition: The psychological attachment a voter has to a particular political party.
- Definition: Voting for candidates from different parties in the same election.
- Definition: A gradual realignment of voters based on demographic shifts, rather than a sudden event.
| Term |
Definition |
| Critical Election |
An election that signals a lasting shift in party allegiance and the balance of power between parties. |
| Party Identification |
The psychological attachment a voter has to a particular political party. |
| Split-Ticket Voting |
Voting for candidates from different parties in the same election. |
| Secular Realignment |
A gradual realignment of voters based on demographic shifts, rather than a sudden event. |
| Coalition |
A group of individuals with diverse interests who unite to support a political party or cause. |
✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
During a period of _______, voters become increasingly _________ from political parties. This often leads to a rise in _________ voters, who do not consistently support either major party. Party _________ involves a significant shift in the composition and balance of power between political parties, typically triggered by a _________ election or major societal change.
Word Bank: dealignment, independent, realignment, detached, critical
Answer: During a period of dealignment, voters become increasingly detached from political parties. This often leads to a rise in independent voters, who do not consistently support either major party. Party realignment involves a significant shift in the composition and balance of power between political parties, typically triggered by a critical election or major societal change.
🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking
Discuss how changes in media consumption (e.g., social media) might be contributing to or counteracting party dealignment in the 21st century. Provide specific examples to support your answer.