ALIENATION AND NONVOTING IN THE 1992 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

This research investigates the linkage between alienation and voter tu rnout by conducting bivariate and multivariate analyses of data from t he 1992 American National Election Study. A theoretical discussion of the dimensions of alienation is followed by an empirical analysis of t he intensifier effect of these dimensions. A composite alienation inde x is established as a measure of long-term alienation as well as a mor e candidate-specific measure of short-term alienation. These two alien ation measures are included in a multivariate probit model. Both the b ivariate and multivariate results strongly support the hypothesis that both long-term and short-ter nz alienation were major factors in expl aining why so many eligible voters chose not to vote in the 1992 presi dential election.