Theocracy

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), &ldquo;god&rdquo; and κρατειν (kratein), &ldquo;to rule&rdquo;. The term means &ldquo;rule by god&rdquo;.

In the most common usage of the term theocracy, in which 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

 * Afghanistan
 * Taliban


 * Algeria
 * Islamic Salvation Front
 * Islamic Renaissance Movement
 * Movement of the Society for Peace
 * Movement for Democracy in Algeria


 * Argentina
 * Christian Democratic Party (Argentina)


 * Armenia
 * Christian Democratic Party (Armenia)


 * Armenian Nagorno-Karabagh
 * Christian Democratic Party (Nagorno Karabagh)


 * Austria
 * Christian Voters Community


 * Bahrain
 * Asalah
 * Al Wefaq Islamic Action
 * Al Menbar
 * Islamic Bloc
 * Islamic Action Party


 * Bangladesh
 * Islamic National Unity Front
 * Islamic Unity Front
 * Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh


 * Belgium
 * Noor Islamic Party


 * Canada
 * Christian Heritage Party of Canada


 * Malaysia
 * Islamic Party of Malaysia (Parti Islam SeMalaysia)
 * Netherlands
 * Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij


 * New Zealand
 * Destiny New Zealand


 * United States of America
 * Christian Identity
 * Christian Reconstructionism
 * United States Constitution Party

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