Notes that party decomposition is likely to continue. The probable future pattern is one where the major parties continue to exert influence on the voting choices of the American public, but where many voters are available for mobilization by competing movements. (Author/AM)

Notes that pragmatism, rather than ideology, dictates the style of young progressive politics in Madison. This pattern has not always applied elsewhere. (Author/AM)

Focuses on five types of political alienation: estrangement; negative evaluation of the American political system, negative evaluation of the competence of public officials, negative evaluation of the motives of public officials, and rejection of the institution of elections. (Author/AM)

From the limited data, the authors are able to show that approval of incumbent performance is an important (but not sole) determinant of diffuse support for the institution. (Author/AM)