Political Systems, Regimes, and Governments Glossary

Concentrated power in a leader or elite that limits participation and restricts civil liberties without accountability.

Weber concept: legitimate authority based on a leader extraordinary personal qualities.

Capacity to compel obedience through use or threat of physical force.

Government with power vested in the people through free elections, civil liberties, rule of law, and accountability.

Gradual erosion of democratic norms by elected leaders who incrementally concentrate power.

Transition from authoritarian rule toward democracy with competitive elections and civil liberties.

A state that has lost the ability to perform basic governance functions across its territory.

A state with functioning institutions facing serious governance and security threats.

A political system combining democratic and authoritarian elements.

The belief that a government has the right to rule, based on tradition, charisma, legal authority, or performance.

Legitimacy derived from delivering tangible results such as economic growth and poverty reduction.

Weber concept: legitimate authority based on codified laws and bureaucratic institutions.

The set of rules, norms, and institutions determining how political power is organized and exercised.

Supreme authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

Extreme authoritarianism where the state seeks to control all aspects of public and private life through ideology.

Weber concept: legitimate authority based on long-established customs and hereditary succession.