I have been hearing/seeing this word a lot lately, and it occurred to me that it seems to have acquired a negative connotation. Without getting into the particulars of politics, could you-all tell me if the word REGIME "feels" negative to you, and if so, why?

I've heard it mostly in relation to the changes in
Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco, and now with Libya.
It appears negative in tone as if these governments
were oppressive and contrary to what we believe.
It seems to be mostly negative, yet I would suppose
its roots are the same as regal, royal, and the like.

and it occurred to me that it seems to have acquired a negative connotation.

Yes, it has acquired some pejorative connotations, mainly as a result of its being used by representatives of various governement when they are referring to other governments or states with whom they have a difference of opinion. I am not if it will lose these new connotations or if they will stick around. (Come to think of it, it might be the result of Ancien Regime being wholly negative.)

You are referring to the Bourbon Monarchy in France?

The word regime to me has a neutral connotation, just meaning a form of government. The French dictionary gives as first meanings: rules to live by; diet; then - a form of government; a charge; institution; even Ancien Regime has a neutral definiton. Se mettre au régime means
'to keep a diet'.
(jee, there goes my last chocolate chip coockie)

You have chocolate chip cookies? I'll be right over!

HAD chocolate chip cookies.

I am always "Johnny-come-lately". Dagnabbit.

You are referring to the Bourbon Monarchy in France?

Yep. Was there any other?

The word regime to me has a neutral connotation That's very helpful, Branny; thank you. For one thing, I had not even thought of the non-governmental meanings; for another, I was wondering if my negative connotation was the (intended?) result of our news media. The fact that you're not a US'n lends credence to that theory.

I have always felt that regime, as applied to a government, implies a dictatorial or oppressive state. It's nothing new as far as I'm concerned.

Peter

my thoughts as well.

Of course its used as a negative connotation when mentioned around governments and takeovers. Like they are dominant and unbending. But the word includes 'some' faction of organisation...so not like anarchy. Just a set of rules.

but as mentioned there are other meanings....

An audit regime forensic accounting used to detect fraud.
(like the tax man is likely to do...so guess that can be seen as a negative if you are the target!)

Regime is also a regular pattern...like rain fall in a certain season, seen as specific measures or parameters.

I guess it comes back to the situation.

I could be wrong, but were there not Bourbon monarchs
in Spain? At any rate, I meant ancien regime as being
the Bourbons.

Not to mention Kentucky.

I could be wrong, but were there not Bourbon monarchs
in Spain

Still are today. Juan Carlos is a Bourbon. But you said Bourbon monarchs in France. A different thing.

Was the "was there any other" meant to mean was there any other Bourbon monarchy (the way I believe Luke interpreted it) or was there any other monarchy in France?

The former. Was there any other Bourbon monarchy?
I had thought Spain had one, but the reference was to
"l'ancien regime', and the question was, was that the Bourbon
monarchy? I thought there was at one time one in Spain
forgetting that Spain is still a monarchy and Juan Carlos
is a Bourbon. And I believe there is still a Bourbon
"pretender" to the throne of France, but I stand to be
corrected on that as well.

Excuse me, but I meant "was there any other (Ancien Regime)?".

Wull... I spose if you're going to capitalize it and stuff.

Yes, it's kind of funny that with all the countless fallen regimes throughout history there is only one Ancien Régime.

well, there is also this: The early modern period of Swiss history, lasting from formal independence in 1648 to the French invasion of 1798 came to be referred as Ancien Régime:
link

Regime to me (after studying Government and Politics at A level so ignore me if you want ) means any form of organised government. The USA has a regime as do most countries in the world. At the moment though people (cough America cough) have been using it to describe governments that do not fit the Western Liberal style of government - so the Middle East all have "regimes" (in the negative sense) as do some South American countries, Cuba, and the currently in turmoil Egypt, Tunisia and Libya...and so have negative-ised the word...

You could say that in most of these countries people are tied to a forced regime in the sense of 'diet'. Double covery.

Makes perfect sense to me. And not everyone wants the
American type of regime. Not everyone should have it.
Different strokes for different folks. They are tired
of their diets now and want to taste something else.