What makes American political parties unique? Discuss the ramifications of changes in levels of American partisanship (party affiliation and identity) on the power of political parties in the present era? How do the trends of de-alignment or lower rates of party loyalty and realignment reflect changes in the issues and mobilization of groups into the process? In your opinion, do party members think for themselves or do they follow cues from party leadership? Find some recent analyses of the regional shifts and battlegrounds between the two major parties. What do you think?