A critical election is typically associated with __________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A critical election is typically associated with party realignment, which refers to a significant and lasting shift in the coalitions that support each political party, often in response to major social, economic, or political changes. It is a rare phenomenon that can reshape the political landscape for years or even decades. Some examples of critical elections in US history include the election of 1860, which led to the emergence of the Republican Party as a major force and the eventual abolition of slavery, the election of 1932, which marked the rise of the New Deal coalition and the dominance of the Democratic Party for several decades, and the election of 1968, which signaled the decline of the New Deal coalition and the emergence of a conservative backlash that reshaped the Republican Party.

A Critical Election Is Typically Associated with __________