What view of history do scholars take who believe that there has been a real decline in voter turnout?

What will be an ideal response?

During the nineteenth century, the parties fought hard to increase political participation. Legal barriers to participation were kept low. Elections were close and exciting. After 1896, the North became solidly Republican and the South became solidly Democrat. Both parties became more conservative and the Republicans started to win consistently. Citizens began to lose interest in politics because it no longer seemed relevant to their needs. The parties ceased to exist as organizations to mobilize mass participation.