Comparison between Authoritative and Democratic Regimes

Bhavna Dahiya

Abstract: The paper focuses upon the comparison made between the contemporary Authoritative and Democratic regimes. Beginning from the basic understanding of the regimes, it focuses upon their inherent characteristics that differentiate the both of them. Tracing the historical trajectory of these regimes in various countries, the paper outlines the changing circumstances after the world wars and the process of Globalisation and Liberalisation. In contemporary times, the lines between both regimes have been blurred given the democratic regimes increasing tendency to acquire authoritative characteristics. Samuel Huntington?s three waves of democracy resulted from evolutions, decolonization, religious and economic circumstances. Along with the differences, the paper also notes down the critique of the regimes.

Keywords: Democracy, Authoritative, globalisation, political systems, nature of state