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The Making of a More Partisan Electorate in West Germany

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2009

Helmut Norpoth
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Extract

The mid-1960s to mid-1970s was a period of unexpected upheaval, ideological ferment, issue polarization and changing of the guard in the United States no less than in West Germany or other European countries. Nearly everywhere politics moved from an era of tranquillity to an era of confrontation. Established political parties were challenged by the salience of new issues and by new forms of political participation. The ability of parties to govern and, at the same time, to prove responsive under these circumstances was put to a severe test. The hold of parties on the mass electorate appeared to be slipping, and the writing of scenarios for partisan realignment and dealignment turned into a cottage industry.

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Articles
Information
British Journal of Political Science , Volume 14 , Issue 1 , January 1984 , pp. 53 - 71
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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References

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41 For the American case, see Norpoth, and Rusk, , ‘Partisan Dealignment’, pp. 535–6.Google Scholar

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