Look at the declining television coverage. Look at the declining voting rate. Economics and economic news is what moves the country now, not politics. See image Robert Teeter
As the society has gotten larger and more complex, individuals have lost their ability to influence any of the institutions that affect their lives. See image Robert Teeter
Another cause for the increase in alienation and cynicism is a feeling that too many policy decisions that affect individuals have been taken out of any system that has accountability or that they can influence. See image Robert Teeter