A theocracy is a form of government based on religious beliefs, where the ruler is guided by their faith and may see themselves as an emissary of their god. Ecclesiocracy is similar, but leaders do not claim direct communication with God. Many monarchies in the Middle Ages were partly theocratic, but this changed with the rise of Protestantism. Today, most theocracies are Islamic, with Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia being examples. Vatican City is a Catholic theocracy with the pope as head of government.
The term “theocracy” comes from the Greek word theokratia, which is a compound word combining theos, meaning “god,” and kratein, meaning “to rule.” A theocracy, therefore, is a form of government in which the government is directed by belief in a god or certain religious beliefs. It may also be the case that the head of a theocratic government is the head of a specific religion, as is the case in Vatican City. Theocratic rulers are specifically guided by their religious beliefs and might see themselves as emissaries of their god who are supposed to govern their people.
Theocracy versus ecclesiocracy
Strictly speaking, a theocracy has a ruler who claims to be guided by his god, such as through direct revelation. When this is the case, laws and pronouncements made by the ruler are regarded by the ruler’s followers as divinely revealed or inspired. A similar type of government is ecclesiocracy, which is when the government is controlled by a church or religion, but the leaders do not claim to be in direct communication or receiving revelations from God. Instead, the leaders of a church government might govern according to religious beliefs, principles and interpretations. Despite the differences between these types of government, ecclesiocracies are generally considered to be theocracies in a general sense.
History of theocracies
During the Middle Ages many monarchies were at least partly theocratic. The decisions of the rulers of Catholic countries, for example, were often questioned and rejected if the popes of the time did not agree with them. Religious leaders often advised rulers on matters of both government and religion.
This began to change as Protestantism and other non-Catholic religions gained influence in some countries. Many countries may still have official religions or have leaders who are advised by religious figures, but these conditions alone do not meet the definition of a theocracy. Furthermore, governments in countries where the population is overwhelmingly composed of members of a particular religion may resemble theocracies even though they actually employ other forms of government.
Modern theocracies
As of 2011, most of the world’s governments considered theocracies had been Islamic. Among them were the governments of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Vatican City is a Catholic theocracy with the pope as head of government.
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