Changes in Capital (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Increase (decrease) in partners' capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ 4,029,487	$ 4,495,355
Comprehensive income (loss) [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	(48,249)	72,536	119,202	308,345
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gains on investments, net of tax expense			553	(35)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax expense			4,982	200
Changes in employee benefit related items, net of tax expense			48	23
Unrealized gains on investments, tax expense			565	210
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax expense			796	1,314
Changes in employee benefit related items, tax benefit			290
Comprehensive income (loss)			124,785	308,533
Cash distributions to General Partner and unitholders			(206,694)	(385,208)
Capital contributions (distributions)			(7,311)	823
Purchase of Australian joint venture				(21,384)
Purchase of AllianceBernstein Units			(3,049)	(4,565)
Compensation-related transactions			13,410	(15,255)
Ending balance	3,950,628	4,378,299	3,950,628	4,378,299
Partners Capital Attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders [Member]
Increase (decrease) in partners' capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			3,975,462	4,370,838
Comprehensive income (loss) [Abstract]
Net income (loss)			117,217	341,592
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gains on investments, net of tax expense			553	(68)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax expense			4,973	646
Changes in employee benefit related items, net of tax expense			48	23
Comprehensive income (loss)			122,791	342,193
Cash distributions to General Partner and unitholders			(206,694)	(385,208)
Capital contributions (distributions)			2,522	2,669
Purchase of Australian joint venture				10,720
Purchase of AllianceBernstein Units			(3,049)	(4,565)
Compensation-related transactions			13,410	(15,255)
Ending balance	3,904,442	4,321,392	3,904,442	4,321,392
Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities [Member]
Increase (decrease) in partners' capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			54,025	124,517
Comprehensive income (loss) [Abstract]
Net income (loss)			1,985	(33,247)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gains on investments, net of tax expense			0	33
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax expense			9	(446)
Changes in employee benefit related items, net of tax expense			0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)			1,994	(33,660)
Cash distributions to General Partner and unitholders			0	0
Capital contributions (distributions)			(9,833)	(1,846)
Purchase of Australian joint venture				(32,104)
Purchase of AllianceBernstein Units			0	0
Compensation-related transactions			0	0
Ending balance	$ 46,186	$ 56,907	$ 46,186	$ 56,907