A political regime is a way of exercising state power. Today there are three main political regimes. These are authoritarianism, democracy and totalitarianism. What are the characteristics to distinguish them from each other?
Instructions
Step 1
Define the powers of the head of state. This step will immediately help to separate a democratic regime from a totalitarian or authoritarian one, since the powers of the head of a democratic state are strictly limited by law. The heads of authoritarian and totalitarian states are endowed with almost absolute power.
Step 2
Analyze the party composition of power. A multiparty system is possible only with a democracy. In other cases, there is either only one party (authoritarianism), or some party has a significant numerical superiority in power.
Step 3
Describe the country's ideology. In totalitarian regimes, one ideology dominates, and democracy is characterized by political and cultural diversity.
Step 4
Determine the situation with the rights and freedoms of citizens. Under a democratic regime, everything is permitted that is not prohibited by law. In totalitarianism and authoritarianism, either only what is not related to politics is allowed, or what is ordered.
Step 5
Consider the presence or absence of opposition to the current government. In regimes of political despotism, there can be no opposition by definition, while a truly democratic state can be considered such only if there are opposition-minded parties.
Step 6
Pay attention to the presence or absence of punitive authorities in the state. The punitive organs are strictly regulated by law in a democratic society. Under totalitarianism, they carry out massive repression, and under an authoritarian regime, they secretly exercise political oversight.
