An autocracy (or authoritarian regime) rejects rule by the people in favor of rule by an individual or a small group of elites. Autocracies can come in many forms, such as monarchy (imperial Britain), totalitarianism (Nazi Germany), single-party rule (contemporary China), or a military junta (contemporary Myanmar/Burma).

Wesleyan University

A regime is the political system of a country, specifically the basic institutions that determine the rules by which a government functions. Comparative political scientists typically distinguish between democracies and autocracies (or authoritarian regimes), though they allow for considerations of hybrid regimes as well. 

Regimes and Regime Types

Wikibooks contributors. (2021, June 2). Comparative Politics. Wikibooks. https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Comparative_Politics

Wikibooks - Comparative Politics

Democracy means “rule by the people” and involves competitive elections wherein citizens vote to elect representatives. Dahl’s (1998) commonly accepted definition of minimum democracy (or polyarchy) entails six institutions: elected officials; free, fair, and frequent elections; freedom of expression; access to alternative sources of information; associational autonomy (the right to form independent organizations); and inclusive citizenship (including universal suffrage).

Regime Type: Democracy

Regime Type: Autocracy

Anecdotal analysis of different countries’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic has often pitted major autocracies like China against large democracies like the United States. This common media narrative typically notes how China has been more successful in curbing COVID-19, whereas the United States has struggled to mount an effective federal response to the pandemic. This comparison has led some academics to investigate whether autocracies (or dictatorships) are better at handling crises like COVID-19 than are democracies.

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