what I find interesting is that it peaked in or around 1976 (depending on a couple of factors, including how often it was polled for, which seems to be every four years, right alongside presidential elections).
It's a shame we don't have more granular data, or else we might be able to see what factor/factors led to the decline. It's too early to be the internet, and too late to be vietnam or JFK (although it could be a delayed effect).
my best guess is it may have had something to do with watergate/nixon.
what I find interesting is that it peaked in or around 1976 (depending on a couple of factors, including how often it was polled for, which seems to be every four years, right alongside presidential elections).
It's a shame we don't have more granular data, or else we might be able to see what factor/factors led to the decline. It's too early to be the internet, and too late to be vietnam or JFK (although it could be a delayed effect).
my best guess is it may have had something to do with watergate/nixon.