The structure of political competition: Dimensions of candidate and group evaluation revisited

In this paper, we take a fresh look at the structure of sociopolitical conf lict through confirmatory factor analyses of survey data gathered in Florid a during the presidential campaign of 1996. Our analysis shows both stabili ty and change in the electorate. In line with prior research, a single bipo lar partisan dimension underlies the mass public's evaluations of political leaders, though national figures fit more comfortably on this continuum th an do those at the state level. 'Citizens' evaluations of key sociopolitica l groups reflect orthogonal cultural disputes, class divisions, and conflic ts relating to issues of social control. While all three of these dimension s impinge to some degree on voters' conceptions of party and ideology, our findings point to the leading role that cultural issues now play in shaping ideological images and identities.