What is a theocracy?

A theocracy is defined as a political unit governed by a deity or divinely guided officials. In this system, religious leaders typically hold significant power, and the laws and policies of the state are closely aligned with religious doctrine or beliefs. The authority in a theocracy is derived from a belief that the ruling power has a divine backing, which often means that the leaders are considered to be representatives of a god or gods, or they may interpret and enforce the will of the divine.

In the context of political systems, this distinguishes a theocracy from other governance forms, such as democracy, where power is derived from the people; military rule, which is characterized by control by armed forces; and systems grounded in economic theory, which focus primarily on economic principles rather than religious governance. Thus, theocracy distinctly centers on religion as a source of political authority.