Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A regime refers to the set of rules, institutions, practices, and norms that determine how power is exercised within a country. It encompasses both formal structures (such as constitutions) and informal arrangements (such as unwritten traditions).
A combination of democratic elements (such as elections) with authoritarian features (such as restrictions on civil liberties), creating an ambiguous mix between democracy and autocracy.