Final answer:
The strict Islamic regime governing Afghanistan is known as a theocracy, where religious laws are enacted and the state is ruled by religious figures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Theocratic governments, such as the one in Afghanistan, are where religious leaders control the state and governmental policies are largely based on religious laws. Theocracy contrasts with other forms of governance like monarchies, where a monarch might rule 'by the Grace of God' but doesn't necessarily enforce religious law. Instead, theocrats typically enforce theonomic laws, which are derived from divine guidance or scriptures.
In a broader spectrum of political systems, an oligarchy refers to a form of government where a small group of elites hold power, which could be due to wealth, family ties, or military control. Unlike a theocracy, an oligarchy doesn't base its legitimacy on religious authority. On the other end of the spectrum, monarchies are often hereditary and can range from symbolic (constitutional) to absolute, where the monarch has full control over the state.