Trends in Aggregate-Level Political Alienation

Abstract

This study identifies several distinct types of political alienation—including efficacy and trust—by observing their different relationships to the causes and consequences of alienation. In general, aggregate-level alienation is caused by unpopular social events or trends. The increasing tendency for citizens to expect governmental solutions to these problems has undoubtedly intensified recent levels of alienation, while the cyclical occurrence of these problems accounts for the short-run cycles in the alienation trend. Consequences of high levels of alienation are also considered, particularly conventional citizen responses which may alter governmental policies (and possibly solve the social problems). The elective process provides some avenue for citizen pressure, but the impact is not direct. Citizens do not vote incumbents out of office during periods of high alienation, but their tendency to become Independents and to stay away from the polls when alienation is high may indirectly pressure parties to change their platforms to attract the disenchanted. Other possible means of indirect influence are also discussed.