: Using vaguely written laws regarding "extremism" or "foreign agents" to bankrupt, jail, or disqualify viable opposition leaders.

Competitive authoritarianism refers to a hybrid political system where democratic institutions exist in form but are heavily tilted in favor of the incumbents.

: Balloting is generally free of massive, blatant fraud, but the process is highly unfair due to gerrymandering, voter intimidation, and barred candidates.

Unlike full autocracies, these regimes permit regular elections and visible political competition. However, they systematically manipulate state resources, media access, and legal frameworks to ensure the ruling party maintains power. 🔍 Core Characteristics

: Maintains the appearance of democracy (elections, opposition parties) but strips away the fairness, creating highly predictable outcomes.

: Unfair economic conditions or blatantly stolen elections can trigger massive street protests that the regime cannot easily suppress without dropping its "democratic" mask.

: State institutions, law enforcement, and tax authorities are weaponized against the opposition.