Persistence and decline of political parties: the case of Estonia

The article explores the factors contributing to the decline and persistence of the political parties in Estonia, while proposing a more systematic framework for tackling the problem. The case study is focused on three Estonian parties (Res Publica, People's Union, and the Centre Party). The article puts forward an empirical framework in which three central dimensions are explored: (1) system-level variables; (2) external-dynamic variables; and (3) internal-organisational-level variables. The results of the analysis indicate that the quality of party leadership and the parties' attachment with the major cleavages in a given society are crucial factors in explaining the parties' persistence or demise.