From Realignment to Dealignment : The Changing Electoral Behavior in the United States
Keywords:
realignment, V.O. Key Jr., dealignment, New Deal coalition, electoral behaviorAbstract
This article examines V.O. Key Jr.’s theory of realignment and its relevance to contemporary U.S. electoral politics. It argues that the model, originally developed to explain long-term shifts in voter behavior based on the New Deal coalition, no longer adequately accounts for current electoral dynamics. The study highlights the emergence of divided government and fragmented voting patterns since the 1960s, suggesting that dealignment provides a more accurate framework for understanding recent developments.
(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)
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