Theocracy





Theocracy is a form of government in which the governmental rulers are
identical with the leaders of the dominant religion, and governmental
policies are either identical with or strongly influenced by the principals
of the majority religion.

Typically the government claims to rule on behalf of God or a higher power,
as specified by the religion in question.

There are different forms of theocracy. The most classical one is
caesaro-papism, in which power is shared between a secular ruler (eg an
emperor) and a religious leader (eg a pope). Theocracy can also be exercised
directly by the clergy (eg Iran) or indirectly (see the divine right of kings).