Critical Realignment Theory

Abstract

Abstract Critical realignment theory is a synthesis of perspectives emanating out of political science and history that suggest the existence and impact of “critical elections” as major determinants in the practice of democratic politics. These elections are said to mobilize new voters, bring new issues to bear, promote a new class of political elites, and most profoundly, alter the distribution of voter alignments in a sudden and durable manner. Critical realignment theory is one of the most profound developments in empirical political thought and stands out as a cross‐disciplinary phenomenon between political science and political history. It also served as the initial theoretical contribution for an entire subfield within Americanist political science – now known as American political development. This subfield employs systematic historical analysis in theoretical and methodological ways in order to study American politics.