Concept in Definition ABC

The word theocracy refers to governments that are based on the belief that the God who governs the official religion is also responsible for governing aspects of life politics, economic and cultural.

The one who makes the political and religious decisions is the same person. There is no separation between state and religion

In other words, theocracy (from the Greek, teo 'God' and cracia 'government') is a government in which the one who exercises power has under his command the political and religious issues at the same time, generally making decisions that concern both aspects and that run parallel to each other in terms of to its ideology.

In this type of management, then, it is God who exercises his power and makes the decisions, or in the absence of him, God himself manifests his authority through ministers or representatives who act on its behalf. In this system there is no division or separation between the state and the institution religious.

Very widespread form of government during antiquity and the Middle Ages

Theocracy is perhaps one of the oldest forms of government that have existed on our planet since the beginning of time, if one takes into account that during In antiquity and the Middle Ages, the religions of the world occupied a central place and that were, in short, those that organized daily life, social practices, traditions and the ways of think of each society.

The pharaoh descended from the gods and this allowed him to exercise as political and religious authority

In this sense, civilizations such as Ancient Egypt or some of Mesopotamia and the Hebrews, among others, were characterized by having governments in which the The main ruler was at the same time the highest religious representative, who made all the decisions and, moreover, the only one who represented the God in question in the world earthly. In many cases the king or pharaoh was considered a direct descendant of the gods, having then earned divine grace at birth to rule over his people. The pharaohs of Ancient Egypt were not only the most important political leaders but they were considered as the direct representation of divinity on earth and assumed functions priestly.

Today, an obsolete form of government

Theocracies are political systems discussed today since currently democratic or parliamentary forms, which seek to open representation and participation The politics of society as a whole are considered irrational and outdated forms of government.

In the theocracy there is no change of power, that is, no one can stand as a candidate for anything, there are no direct elections of representatives through popular vote.

The exceptions

However, it is normal to find that many states in the Middle East, some in Africa and even the Vatican, move from the theocratic idea that whoever governs them is directly linked to the god of their belief.

In today's democratic systems there is a clear separation of religion and state

On the other hand, in the democratic systems that predominate in the political map In our time, there is a clear differentiation between political power and religious power, that is, political authority goes on one side while religious authority goes on the other channel. There is a clear split in the political and religious spheres, neither has interference in the other.

For example, in those states where the Christian religion is the official religion, there is no intervention of the Church in government decisions, even more, it would be very frowned upon and it would be questioned if the Church intervenes in any political decision of the government, even if it is not adequate.

Now, if it is accepted that the Church as a religious institution intervenes in some aspects and offers its opinion as a social actor of a community and As such, it cannot and should not be censored and its conclusions accepted, but neither of them will be able to intervene in the decisions of the other of any way.

Now, although theocracy, as we pointed out, is not a form of government that is currently widespread as it is. was many years ago, there are exceptions, such as the Vatican, in which it continues to function as in its origins. The Pope, the highest authority of the Catholic Church, is also the Head of State of the Vatican.

Topics in Theocracy