Conclusion

Abstract

Abstract This chapter summarizes the main findings and contributions of the book. It also discusses the implications of the ‘genetic’ approach for the notions of new and continuing parties, for measures of party system stability such as electoral volatility, and for the study of party and party system institutionalization. Given the rising levels of party instability across the democratic world, researchers should acknowledge and engage with the complexity of party novelty and continuity to embrace the ‘soggy world’ of contemporary party politics fully. The final section highlights the potential for applying the approach proposed in this book to other regions of the world and for using ‘big but thin’ data more extensively in party research and beyond.