Theocracy

The neutrality of this article is disputed. Please see discussion on the talk page.}} The term theocracy is used to describe a form of government in which a Religion or faith plays a dominant role The word theocracy originates from the Greek θεοκρατία (theokratia). The components of the word θεος (theos), "god" and κρατειν (kratein), "to rule". The term means "rule by god". In the most common usage of the term theocracy, some civil rulers are identical with some leaders of the dominant Religion (e.g., the Byzantine emperor as head of the Church), governmental policies are either identical with, or strongly influenced by, the principles of a religion (often the majority religion), and typically, the government claims to rule on behalf of God or a higher power, as specified by the local religion. However, unlike other forms of government, a theocracy can be unique, in that the administrative Hierarchy of the government is often identical with the administrative hierarchy of the religion. This distinguishes a theocracy from forms of government which have a State religion, or from traditional monarchies, in which the head of state claims that his or her authority comes from God. A more literal term for what is commonly meant by "theocracy" is "ecclesiocracy," which denotes the rule of a religious leader or body in the name of God, as opposed to the literal rule of God. History The concept of theocracy was first coined by Josephus Flavius in the 1st century. He defined theocracy as the characteristic government for Jews. Josephus' definition was widely accepted until the enlightenment era, when the term started to collect more universalistic and undeniably negative connotations, especially in Hegel's hands. After that 'theocracy' has been mostly used to label certain politically unpopular societies as somehow less 'rational' or 'developed'. The concept is used in Sociology and other social sciences, but the term is often used in an overly broad manner, especially in popular rhetoric. Parties and movements with theocratic aspects Note: Many of these are Constitutional theocracy parties. Afghanistan Taliban Algeria Islamic Salvation Front Islamic Renaissance Movement Australia Christian Democratic Party (Australia) Bahrain Asalah Al Wefaq Islamic Action Al Menbar Islamic Action Party Bangladesh Islamic Unity Front Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Canada Christian Heritage Party of Canada Germany Party of Bible-abiding Christians India Shiv Sena Iran Alliance of Builders of Islamic Iran Israel Shas Lebanon Hezbollah Malaysia Islamic Party of Malaysia (Parti Islam SeMalaysia) Netherlands Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij New Zealand Destiny New Zealand Sudan National Islamic Front Turkey Felicity Party (Turkey) United States of America Christian Identity Christian Reconstructionism Literary works critical of theocracy John Barnes. Candle & The Sky So Big and Black. Robert A. Heinlein. Revolt in 2100 Margaret Atwood. The Handmaid's Tale, about a fictional dystopian world of theocracy See also Calvinism Constitutional monarchy Democracy Dominion Theology Ethnocentrism Hierocracy Islamic republic Hal Lindsey List of forms of government Monarchy Oligarchy Separation of church and state Statolatry Theonomy Secularism