theocracy

Theocracy is a form of government in which religious authorities oversee political power and the state's legal system is derived from religious law. In a theocracy, the claim of political legitimacy rests on divine sanction or the mandate of a recognized religious authority, and rulers or institutions are typically drawn from or closely tied to the religious establishment.

Religious leaders or bonded institutions govern directly, or hold decisive influence over policy, lawmaking, and the appointment of officials. Civil law may be patterned on sacred texts, and religious courts may adjudicate disputes alongside or instead of secular courts. The relationship between church and state is often inseparable, with no strict separation between religious and political authority, and succession sometimes tied to doctrinal considerations.

Historical examples include the Papal States and other medieval Christian polities; Tibetan theocracy under the Dalai Lamas; and Vatican City, governed by the Holy See in which spiritual authority also exercises formal temporal governance. In the modern era, Iran's Islamic Republic combines elected institutions with supreme religious authority; the Taliban-imposed government in Afghanistan has pursued rule based on their interpretation of Sharia.

Scholars distinguish theocratic rule from religious influence or state-church arrangements. Critics argue that theocratic systems can undermine minority rights, limit religious freedom, and concentrate power in a clerical elite, while supporters may view such systems as preserving moral order and social cohesion. The term often spans a range of arrangements rather than a single model.