In politics, a regime refers to the form of government or the set of rules, cultural or social norms, etc. that regulate the operation of a government or institution and its interactions with society. There are two broad categories of regimes: democratic and autocratic. Autocratic regimes can be further broken down into various types, such as dictatorial, totalitarian, absolutist, monarchic, and oligarchic.
The term "regime" can have a negative connotation, implying an authoritarian government or dictatorship. However, it can also be used in a more neutral sense to describe a particular government or system of government. In contemporary academic usage, the term is broader than popular and journalistic usage, often referring to an intermediate stratum between the government and society.
Some examples of regime types include:
- Nicolae Ceaușescus regime in Romania, associated with a specific individual
- A fascist regime, associated with an ideology
- A military regime, associated with a particular approach
- A neoliberal regime, associated with a political project
