Political Realignment

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how realignment is a major shift in political thought and behavior, and not merely a shift in power by one political party or another. The paper further discusses how prior to the elections in 2000 and in 2004, the theory of political alignment was being tested by the growing reality of political fragmentation and increased polarization between the two major parties. According to the paper, the fragmentation has not yet reached a point where there can reasonably be more than the two major parties in contention for national office.

Outline:
Introduction
Political Realignment
The War in Iraq

From the Paper:

"Green thus suggests that the election of 1996 was a realignment in favor of the Democrats, but given the results in 2000, it could not have been. Observers note what did happen with tat election and with the next by pointing out that in 2000, Gore lost white working class voters by 17 points; in 2004, Kerry lost them by 23 points, a swing of 6 points against the Democrats; while Bush's increased margin among these voters was primarily responsible for his re-election victory. To some, this suggests an actual realignment to the benefit of the Republicans. In truth, the next two elections will provide any real evidence of a political realignment. For one thing, certain forces often produce a change having noting to do with an actual realignment. The impeachment of Clinton by the Republicans brought both the administration and Congress itself into disfavor with voters, and one way voters expression such disfavor is by voting the incumbents out of office. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Burnham, W.D. (2000, April 17). Whole lotta shakin' goin' on : A political realignment is on the way. The Nation Volume, 270, Issue 15, 11.
• Green, M. (1996, December 9). Voting blocs, building blocks: This election proved that the great political realignment of the sixties is over. The Nation, Volume 263, Issue 19, 22-23.
• Jamieson, K.H. & Waldman, P. (2003). The press effect : Politicians, journalists, and the stories that shape the political world. New York: Oxford.
• Mueller, J. (2005, December 14). The Iraq syndrome. YubaNet.com. Retrieved May 16, 2006 from http://www.uky.edu/AS/PoliSci/Peffley/473%20Mueller%202005%20The%20Iraq%20Syndrome.htm.
• Sundquist, J.L. (1983). Dynamics of the party aystem: Alignment and realignment of political parties in the United States. Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institution.

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