Realignment

Definition

Realignment refers to a significant and lasting shift in the political landscape, often involving changes in party coalitions, voter loyalties, and electoral outcomes. This process typically occurs during periods of major social, economic, or political upheaval, leading to new patterns of support for political parties and their platforms. Realignments can result in the emergence of new dominant parties or the decline of established ones, reshaping the dynamics of governance and representation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Realignment is often marked by a critical election, where a large portion of the electorate switches party allegiance or responds to new issues.
2. Historical examples of realignment include the New Deal coalition in the 1930s and the Southern realignment in the 1960s and 1970s.
3. Realignment can involve demographic shifts as certain groups become more aligned with one party over another based on evolving social attitudes and values.
4. Political realignments may lead to the decline of third parties as the major parties absorb their platforms or support bases.
5. The implications of realignment extend beyond elections; they can reshape policy priorities and alter the legislative agenda for years.

Review Questions

• How does realignment impact the composition of Congress and influence legislative behavior?
  • Realignment significantly affects Congress by altering party majorities and shifting legislative priorities. When voter loyalties change and new coalitions form, it can lead to different policy agendas being prioritized based on the new composition of party members. This means that legislation may reflect the interests of newly aligned voters, while previously dominant parties may find themselves struggling to maintain influence on critical issues.
• Analyze how realignment contributes to the emergence or decline of minor parties in the American political system.
  • Realignment can either provide an opportunity for minor parties to gain traction by addressing new issues that major parties overlook or result in their decline if major parties co-opt those issues. For example, during periods of realignment, if a significant number of voters feel that their needs are not met by existing major parties, they might turn to minor parties. However, if a minor party's platform is absorbed into a major party during realignment, this can lead to diminished support for that minor party as voters align themselves with what they perceive as more viable options.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of historical realignments on today's American political landscape.
  • The long-term consequences of historical realignments are profound and continue to shape today's political landscape. For instance, the New Deal realignment created enduring Democratic dominance among specific demographics that influence elections to this day. Similarly, the Southern realignment transformed the Republican Party into a dominant force in the South, reflecting shifts in cultural attitudes. These historical changes set precedents for how current political battles are fought and how voter identities are formed, emphasizing that realignments not only change electoral outcomes but also redefine political identities for generations.

Related terms

Partisan Identification: The psychological attachment individuals have to a political party, which influences their voting behavior and opinions on issues.

Critical Election: An election that marks a significant change in the political system, often associated with a realignment, where new issues emerge and voter coalitions shift dramatically.

Party System: The structure and organization of political parties within a given political context, including their number, competition level, and relationships with one another.