Does the influence of social cleavages on American voter alignment and party coalitions remain a significant factor in contemporary politics? Clem Brooks and Jeff Manza utilize a sociological framework to evaluate how demographic and social divisions have shaped political allegiances in the United States since the 1950s. By analyzing longitudinal data, the authors argue against the prevailing academic consensus that social cleavages have undergone a precipitous decline in relevance, instead proposing a more nuanced model of persistent political stratification.

Scholars frequently cite this work as a critical counter-argument to the dominant dealignment theories of the late twentieth century. The text is recognized for its rigorous methodological approach and is considered a foundational resource for students and researchers examining the intersection of sociology and electoral politics.