Regime
From Free net encyclopedia
A regime (occasionally spelled "régime", particularly in older texts) denotes any system of social control, or more specifically, a form of government, especially one which is closely associated with a specific individual (eg. "the Saddam regime", "the Bush regime", or "the Salazar regime"), or based on a particular ideology (eg. "a communist" regime", "a fascist regime", or "a military regime").
In theory, the term need not imply anything about the particular government to which it relates, and most political scientists use it as a neutral term. The term is sometimes used colloquially by some in reference to governments which they believe are repressive, undemocratic or illegitimate, such that in these contexts the word conveys a sense of moral disapproval or political opposition. For example, one is less likely to hear of a "democratic regime".
Political scientist Fred Judson, defines a regime as the "relationship between the state, society, (the) market, and global insertion".
Other uses
Another political use of "regime" concerns international regulatory agencies, which lie outside of the control of national governments. These have more power over a greater range than postal or telecommunications agreements, for example, and constrain national governments.
The basic meaning of "regime", a system of control, can be found in terms such as exercise regime or medical regime. Compare regimen.
In science, a regime can mean a particular state of affairs where a particular physical phenomenon or boundary condition is significant, such as "the superfluid regime" or "the steady state regime".