In the context of political parties, "realignment" refers to significant shifts in the underlying coalition that supports a party, resulting in a change in its electoral base and policy priorities. This transformation often occurs due to social, economic, or political changes that realign voter loyalties, such as demographic shifts or national crises. Realignment can lead to the emergence of new parties or the decline of existing ones, fundamentally altering the political landscape. Understanding realignment helps explain historical shifts in party dominance and voter behavior.