Final answer:
Party dealignment refers to the loss of party members as more people identify as independents. It can be influenced by factors such as changing political ideologies and dissatisfaction with party platforms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "party dealignment" refers to the loss of party members as more people identify as independents. This occurs when individuals no longer strongly align with a particular political party and instead choose to be unaffiliated or independent. Party dealignment can be influenced by various factors, such as changing political ideologies, dissatisfaction with party platforms, or disillusionment with party leadership.
For example, in the United States, party dealignment has been observed over time as the number of independent voters has increased. These voters do not strongly align with either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party, signaling a shift away from traditional party loyalty.
In party dealignment, individuals may no longer feel connected to or represented by a particular party, leading to a decline in party membership and a weaker hold on voter support for the party.
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