The Critical 90's

It is my contention that the 90's were a critical era, but to a lesser extent than that of the 60's. Aldrich defines a critical era as "one of rapid change leading to a new period of relative stability." The 90's did bring rapid change in some respects. The 90's completed the shift from party-centered campaigns and new technologies aided the effectiveness of the candidate centered campaign. The success of independent candidates such as Parrot and the decrease of the incumbency advantage demonstrate the shifting voter patterns of the 90's, specifically the shift of voters away from parties to independents. The Contract with America and Newt Gingrich brought about great changes to the way in which parties influenced policy and politicians in congress which further supports the claim that the 90's were a critical era. However, because the 90's lacked the great upheaval and controversy over the social issues of the 60's, I don't see the 90's as critical as I do the 60's.