Political science

A regime entails a set of norms and regulations that guide a country's political operations. Some regimes use formal regulations, such as the constitution, while others use informal regulations. The main regimes include authoritarian, democratic, and totalitarian, which have different rules governing their practices.

The authoritarian and democratic systems have various similarities and differences. The main characteristics of an authoritarian regime include the centralization of power through the exclusion of opposition and increased political repression. The government controls all forms of media, and the elections are not fair and open. In contrast, democratic regime characteristics include regular fair and open elections, the government's accountability to its citizens, and laws governing both leaders and citizens. However, a competitive authoritarian regime is established when multiparty elections are held, although there exists limited opposition, increased media control, coercion, and misuse of public resources. Thus, the authoritative competitive regime is distinct as it combines aspects of both authoritarian and democratic systems. Hence, although both authoritarian and democratic systems hold elections, a democratic government is more dedicated to serving its citizens than the authoritarian system, which rules through coercion, and all decisions and power are centralized.

However, the different regimes' elections differ. For instance, a democratic regime allows its citizens to elect the most preferred leaders. The citizens have the power and right to choose, and the leader with the majority votes wins the seat. In contrast, in a totalitarian regime, the government takes full control of its citizens and does not tolerate opposition. Citizens are not allowed to make decisions regarding government projects and social developments. Although totalitarian regimes could conduct elections, they are not "fair and free" due to a lack of competition. On the other hand, Authoritarian regimes conduct elections, but leaders are informally appointed, and citizens cannot displace them. There is increased deprivation of liberty and mitigation of opposition.

The main regimes include authoritarian, democratic, and totalitarian, which have different rules governing their practices. All regimes hold elections, but in authoritarian and totalitarian systems, elections are unfair, while democratic regime involves open and just elections.