Abstract

In the article the author is raising the issues of theoretical and methodological background of research studies on hybrid regimes which are located between democracy and authoritarianism. The author is trying to respond to the following research problem: to what extent the abstract hybrid regimes category can be seen as a new type of political regimes and to what extent it should be regarded only as one of the steps of the transition. Considering the research problem presented in the introduction, the author came to the conclusion that hybrid systems in some cases should be considered as stages of the system transition; however, the fact that long-term balance between democracy and authoritarianism can become the basis for determining the hybrid regimes as a new type of political systems should not be negated.