We categorize countries into six distinct regime types. These labels prioritize the actual balance of power and the health of institutional checks and balances, rather than treating the mere presence of elections as sufficient evidence of democracy.
Each country is also summarized with a score from 0 to 100. The score aligns with the regime type bands below and reflects how closely real-world institutions match open, competitive, and accountable governance.
Regime types
These bands give quick context on how power is exercised in different countries. From open and competitive politics to settings where institutions are weak, captured, or absent.
Institutional Stability
Characterized by high transparency, strong rule of law, and a political culture where the transition of power is seamless and uncontested.
Typical score: 85–100
High Participation / Low Stability
Systems that are functionally democratic but suffer from extreme political polarization or legislative deadlock that hinders effective governance.
Typical score: 70–84
Competitive but Uneven
Systems that host regular elections, but where the "playing field" is significantly tilted toward the incumbent through media control or judicial pressure.
Typical score: 50–69
Controlled Elections
Countries that maintain the outward appearance of democracy (elections, multiple parties) but where the executive branch holds absolute power and dissent is systematically suppressed.
Typical score: 25–49
Absolute Control
Regimes where no meaningful competition for power exists, civil liberties are non-existent, and the state exercises total control over political expression.
Typical score: 5–24
Institutional Collapse
Territories where the central government has lost the "monopoly on the use of force" and cannot provide basic democratic or administrative functions to the population.
Typical score: 0–4
Democracy index
The table below shows typical score ranges for each regime type and the primary characteristic we associate with that band. Scores are illustrative bands for classification; individual country pages cite the precise figure we use.
| Regime type | Score range (0–100) | Primary characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Robust Democracy Institutional Stability | 85–100 | Institutional Stability |
| Fragmented Democracy High Participation / Low Stability | 70–84 | High Participation / Low Stability |
| Hybrid Regime Competitive but Uneven | 50–69 | Competitive but Uneven |
| Electoral Autocracy Controlled Elections | 25–49 | Controlled Elections |
| Closed Autocracy Absolute Control | 5–24 | Absolute Control |
| Failed State Institutional Collapse | 0–4 | Institutional Collapse |
