In political science, a regime is a system of norms, rules, and decision-making procedures. In the context of national politics, it typically refers to the system of political organization that determines access to public office, and the extent of power held by officials. Political scientists often categorize regimes as being democratic, autocratic, or hybrid. International regimes are sets of implicit or explicit principles, norms, rules, and decision-making procedures that international actors’ expectations converge around in a given area of international relations.