In this passage about democracy and dictatorship, choose the noun that best completes the phrase: “establish a new _______ with dramatic success … ”

Introduction / Context:
This cloze test item asks you to pick the noun that most precisely describes what dictators establish after they rise to power. The passage says that dictators may rise to power and then “establish a new _______ with dramatic success”. We must choose the word that best matches “establish” and reflects a new system of rule.

Given Data / Assumptions:

1) The phrase is “establish a new _______ with dramatic success”.
2) The options are: regime, state, era, epoch.
3) The subject is “dictators” who have risen to power.
4) The action is political and institutional, not just historical or cultural.
5) We need a noun that naturally follows “establish a new …” in a political context.

Concept / Approach:
In political science and history, “regime” is the standard term for a particular system or pattern of rule, often associated with specific leaders or ideologies. “State” refers to the political entity itself (the country), while “era” and “epoch” refer to periods of time. Since the passage is about dictators creating a new system of rule rather than a new country or time period, “regime” is the most accurate choice.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider the verb “establish” and list what we usually “establish” in politics: governments, regimes, institutions, parties. Step 2: Test “regime”: “establish a new regime” is a very common political phrase describing the setting up of a new ruling system. Step 3: Test “state”: “establish a new state” would mean founding a new country, which is stronger and less appropriate than simply establishing a new ruling system within an existing state. Step 4: Test “era”: “establish a new era” is metaphorical and less precise; eras happen over time but are not literally “established” by a single dictator. Step 5: Test “epoch”: similar to “era”, it is a period of time, not a formal structure of rule. Step 6: Conclude that “regime” most precisely expresses the idea of a new political rule created by dictators.

Verification / Alternative check:
Insert “regime” into the full sentence: “whereas dictators may rise to power and establish a new regime with dramatic success, under peculiar conditions.” This is exactly the kind of sentence you would see in a civics or history book. Substituting “state”, “era” or “epoch” blurs the meaning and no longer refers clearly to the structure of governing.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“state” implies a new political entity, often with different borders or international status, which goes beyond what the passage describes. “era” and “epoch” refer to long historical periods and are not typical objects of the verb “establish” in this concrete sense. They would make the sentence more poetic but less accurate and clear.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse “state” and “regime”, thinking they are interchangeable. However, a state can remain the same while regimes change. Another pitfall is choosing “era” or “epoch” just because they sound sophisticated, without checking if they match the precise political meaning. Always ask: what exactly is being created here—a new country, a new time period, or a new system of rule?

Final Answer:
The noun that best completes the sentence is regime.