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Nationalization of the Electorate in the United States

Author

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  • Vertz, Laura L.
  • Frendreis, John P.
  • Gibson, James L.

Abstract

A current debate within the field of U.S. politics revolves around the extent to which the electorate is nationalized, that is, responds to national-level political forces. We provide additional evidence to help resolve this debate. Using the variance-components model of political effects developed by Stokes, we analyze presidential, senatorial, gubernatorial, and congressional races for the period 1962–1984. The results indicate that presidential races are highly nationalized, and congressional races largely localized. Senate and gubernatorial races are found to have a large state-level component to them. The analysis is also split into two segments to ascertain if a change in political effects is seen during this relatively short time frame; no such differences are found. We conclude that nationalization is not a process that can be understood from evidence provided by congressional races alone. Our results suggest that constituencies respond to political forces in a complex way, reacting to factors that are most relevant to a particular electoral contest.

Suggested Citation

  • Vertz, Laura L. & Frendreis, John P. & Gibson, James L., 1987. "Nationalization of the Electorate in the United States," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 81(3), pages 961-966, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:81:y:1987:i:03:p:961-966_20
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    Cited by:

    1. Luís Aguiar-Conraria & Pedro Magalhães & Maria Soares, 2013. "The nationalization of electoral cycles in the United States: a wavelet analysis," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 156(3), pages 387-408, September.
    2. Luís Francisco Aguiar & Pedro C. Magalhães & Maria Joana Soares, 2010. "Synchronism in Electoral Cycles: How United are the United States?," NIPE Working Papers 17/2010, NIPE - Universidade do Minho.

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