The Dynamics of Voter Attitudes: Reevaluating the Role of Partisanship.

This paper examines the "Michigan model" of partisanship and the attack on it mounted in the 1970s. Using the Nie, et al. volume "The Changing American Voter" as a reference point, it asks whether the decline of partisanship, so starkly obvious in 1972 data, has continued, leveled off, or whether there has been a resurgence of partisanship in voter psychology. Findings, of course, are mixed. Affect toward partisans and partisans has continued to become more negative, but also has become a bit more polarized -- reversing the 1956-1972 trend. The "sorting out" of the parties in terms of issue preferences has continued. Panel data are used to determine whether issues have influenced partisanship (as the rational choice model supposes) or whether partisanship influences issues (as per the Michigan model). Proper estimation via 2SLS shows neither effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]