Three Challenges in Political Regime Classification: The Regime Configuration Framework.

This article reviews political regime classification in the context of contemporary debates. We problematize the classical division between categorical and continuous approaches and recent responses to their limitations. We use hybrid regimes to question the conventional framing of political regime classification. Our analysis reveals three significant shortcomings: 1) a teleological bias towards democracy as a linear progression, excluding the definition of political regime, 2) reliance on hierarchical variables, relegating regimes that do not fit to subcategories, and 3) neglect of the transnational dimension of governance, including the role of regional and international organizations. In addition, we propose the Regime Configuration Framework to address these shortcomings and highlight these dimensions in classifying political regimes.