NON-DEMOCRATIC SYSTEMS: TYPES AND CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

While studying political systems nowadays, science usually considers the characteristics of the democratic
systems and the systems that transit from non-democratic to democratic. The overall impression is that very
little attention is paid to studying the characteristics and the types of non-democratic systems. Such neglect
of the characteristics and types of non-democratic systems contributes to the general public ignoring the
danger of the rise of such systems. The rise of non-democratic systems in the last two decades in the world
is evident and therefore it is important that the basic characteristics and types of non-democratic regimes
are clearly elaborated. In that direction, this paper aims to define non-democratic systems, make a clear
distinction between totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, and elaborate on the different types of
authoritarian regimes. The paper also analyzes the rise of hybrid regimes and their difference from classic
authoritarian regimes. Through such an elaboration of the non-democratic systems, the paper concludes
that the non-democratic systems possess characteristics and values that are not compatible with the rule of
law and the protection of human freedoms and rights, and therefore their progress represents a global threat
and danger.