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The Dynamics of Structural Realignment

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  • Macdonald, Stuart Elaine
  • Rabinowitz, George

Abstract

Governments render decisions on how resources and values are allocated in a society. In the United States, Congress is the institution in which most of the key allocating decisions are made. To the extent the U.S. political system is integrated, the coalitions that form around the issues debated in Congress should be reflected in the coalitions that support presidential candidates and those that support the major political parties. We formulate a spatial theory of political change in which new ideological cleavages appear in congressional behavior and presidential elections and gradually reorganize the mass party base. The theory leads us explicitly to consider the question of dealignment and to specify conditions under which the parties will lose support from voters.

Suggested Citation

  • Macdonald, Stuart Elaine & Rabinowitz, George, 1987. "The Dynamics of Structural Realignment," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 81(3), pages 775-796, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:81:y:1987:i:03:p:775-796_20
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    Cited by:

    1. Edward G. Carmines, 1991. "The Logic of Party Alignments," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 3(1), pages 65-80, January.
    2. Melvin J. Hinich & Michael C. Munger, 1992. "A Spatial Theory of Ideology," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 4(1), pages 5-30, January.
    3. Stuart Elaine Macdonald & George Rabinowitz, 1993. "Direction and Uncertainty in a Model of Issue Voting," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 5(1), pages 61-87, January.

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