regimekeeping

Regimekeeping refers to the actions taken by a ruling regime to maintain its power and control over a population. These actions can encompass a wide range of strategies, both overt and covert. Overt methods often include the use of state security forces, such as police and military, to suppress dissent and enforce laws. This can involve surveillance, arrests, imprisonment, and sometimes violence. Propaganda and censorship are also common overt tools, used to shape public opinion, control information flow, and delegitimize opposition.

Covert regimekeeping strategies may involve intelligence gathering, infiltration of opposition groups, and disinformation campaigns. The aim is to anticipate and neutralize threats to the regime before they can gain significant traction. Economic policies can also serve as a form of regimekeeping, by rewarding loyalists and creating dependencies that discourage opposition. Furthermore, regimes may employ legalistic means, such as restrictive laws on assembly or speech, to limit the space for dissent. The ultimate goal of regimekeeping is to ensure the perpetuation of the current political order and the ruler's or ruling party's dominance. It is a concept often discussed in the context of authoritarian or totalitarian states, but elements of it can be present in various political systems.