theocracy
Definition
A theocracy is a form of government in which religious leaders control the state, ruling in the name of a god or by the laws considered to be divinely inspired. In such regimes, the legal system is often based directly upon religious laws.
Analogy
Imagine a soccer game where the rules are not decided by an independent body but by one team's coach who believes their strategy was inspired by a higher power. This scenario mirrors a theocracy, where the governing rules and decisions are based on what is believed to be divine guidance, not on secular law or democratic consensus.
Related terms
Divine Right of Kings: The doctrine that kings derive their authority from God, not from their subjects, legitimizing their right to rule.
Sharia Law: An Islamic legal system derived from the Quran and Hadiths, guiding not only religious practices but also aspects of daily life in some Muslim-majority countries.
Secularism: The principle of separating religion from political, social, and educational institutions
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