Spectrum of Authoritarian and Democratic Regimes in AP Comparative Government and Politics

Definition

The spectrum of authoritarian and democratic regimes represents the range of different types of governments that exist between fully authoritarian (dictatorship) and fully democratic systems. It illustrates how countries can fall at various points on this spectrum based on their level of citizen participation, civil liberties, and accountability.

Related terms

Hybrid Regime:

A hybrid regime refers to a combination or mixture of both authoritarian and democratic elements within a single government structure.

Illiberal Democracy:

An illiberal democracy is a type of regime that holds regular elections but lacks full protection of individual rights and liberties, often with restrictions on freedom of speech, press, and assembly.

Oligarchy: Oligarchy refers to a form of government where power is held by a small group of individuals or families who have control over the country's political and economic systems.