Which system is marked by the collapse of Super-Coalitions?

The period known as the Sixth Party System is characterized by the collapse of Super-Coalitions, which were large, broad-based alliances that dominated the political landscape in earlier decades. This system emerged in the late 20th century, particularly around the 1980s, driven by significant ideological realignments and demographic shifts within the electorate.

During this time, the traditional boundaries that once defined political parties began to erode, leading to more polarized and ideologically distinct political factions. The breakdown of Super-Coalitions illustrates this shift, as parties became less reliant on large coalitions that included diverse interest groups and more focused on narrower, more coherent platforms that appealed to specific voter bases.

This realignment allowed for greater party competition and a focus on more pronounced partisan differences, indicating a departure from earlier political configurations where larger, more heterogeneous coalitions could maintain control over the political process. Thus, the defining features of the Sixth Party System include its emphasis on ideological clarity and the transformation of party dynamics, which were marked by the collapse of these previous broad coalitions.