The Impact of Political Regimes on Foreign Policy Strategies: A Comparative Study of Democracies and Authoritarian States

Authors

  • Mohamed Ibrahim Hassan Farag Department of Political Science, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18485/

Keywords:

political regimes, foreign policy, democracies, authoritarian states

Abstract

This study examines how political regimes influence foreign policy strategies by comparing democracies and authoritarian states. Democracies tend to emphasize transparency, public participation, and the promotion of human rights, producing policies that reflect domestic values and international norms. In contrast, authoritarian regimes prioritize regime survival, strategic stability, and centralized decision-making, often resulting in more assertive or opportunistic foreign policies. By employing a comparative qualitative approach, this research analyzes case studies from selected democratic and authoritarian countries. The study collected data from policy documents, diplomatic records, and semi-structured interviews with foreign policy experts. The study identifies distinct patterns in foreign policy formulation and implementation: democracies typically follow consistent policies aligned with international norms, while authoritarian regimes tend to adopt pragmatic or confrontational strategies shaped by internal power structures and external geopolitical dynamics. The findings underscore that regime type significantly influences foreign policy, with democracies showing greater adaptability and norm compliance, while authoritarian states exhibit more strategic, stability-driven decision-making. This research advances understanding of how domestic political structures shape foreign policy outcomes and offers insights for predicting state behavior in the international arena.

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International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies

Published

01.10.2026

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies (First Online - Accepted Papers)

Section

International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies

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Copyright (c) 2026 Mohamed Ibrahim Hassan Farag (Author)

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How to Cite

Farag, M. I. H. (2026). The Impact of Political Regimes on Foreign Policy Strategies: A Comparative Study of Democracies and Authoritarian States. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.18485/

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