What is a Theocracy?

A theocracy is a government operated under divine rule or the pretense of divine rule.
The origin of the word "theocracy" is from the 17th century from the Greek word "theokratia."
"Theo" is Greek for God, and "cracy" means government. The term theocracy was first used by
Flavious Josephus in 1st century A.D. to describe government of Jews.

In practice, the term refers to a government operated by religious authorities who claim

unlimited power in the name of God or supernatural forces. Many government leaders,
including some in the United States, invoke God and claim to be inspired by God or to obey the
will of God. This does not make a government a theocracy, at least in practice and by itself. A
government is a theocracy when its lawmakers actually believe that leaders are governed by
the will of God and laws are written and enforced that are predicated on this belief.

Characteristics of Theocracy

Although mortal men hold positions of power in theocratic governments, the laws and
rules are considered to be set by God or another deity, and these men first serve their deity,
not the people. As with the Holy See, leaders are typically clergy or that faith’s version of clergy,
and they often hold their positions for life. The succession of rulers may occur by inheritance or
may be passed from one dictator to another of his own choosing, but new leaders are never
appointed by popular vote. 

Laws and the legal systems are faith-based, typically formed literally on the basis of
religious texts. The ultimate power or ruler is God or the country's or state's recognized deity.
Religious rule dictates social norms such as marriage, law, and punishment. Governmental
structure is typically that of a dictatorship or monarchy. This leaves less opportunity for
corruption, but it also means that the people cannot vote on issues and do not have a voice.
There is no freedom of religion, and defying one’s faith—specifically the theocracy’s faith—
often results in death in extreme governments. At the very least, the infidel would be banished
or persecuted.

Comparisons with Other Forms of Government

A theocracy is different from other forms of government (namely republics and
democracies) that make it a point to not be guided by religion. For example, the United States
government observes no particular religion in order to allow individual citizens religious
freedom. The Pledge of Allegiance does say “One nation, under God”, but this was added in
1954 and has been attributed to everything from a knee-jerk response to Communism to
corporations wanting the public to believe they were “blessed”. It does not necessarily indicate
the government observes any particular god. It is also worth noting that theocracies greatly
differ from governments that have a state religion or are religiously affiliated. For example,
monarchs in the United Kingdom have a long history of practicing Christianity. However, the
government itself does not make laws according to the Bible, nor does it view its officials as
divinely guided or chosen.
Examples of Modern Theocratic Governments 

Iran and Saudi Arabia are often cited as modern examples of theocratic governments. In
practice, North Korea also resembles a theocracy because of the supernatural powers that were
attributed to former leader Kim Jong-il and the comparable deference he received from other
government officials and the military. Hundreds of thousands of indoctrination centers operate
on devotion to Jong-il's will and legacy and to that of his son and the present leader of North
Korea, Kim Jong-un.

Theocratic movements exist in virtually every country on earth, but true contemporary
theocracies are primarily found in the Muslim world, particularly in Islamic states governed by
Sharia. The Holy See in Vatican City is also technically a theocratic government. A sovereign
state and home to nearly 1,000 citizens as of 2019, the Holy See is governed by the Catholic
Church and represented by the pope and its bishop. All government positions and offices are
filled by clergy. 

Vatican City is the most famous Christian theocracy, with the Pope as the head of state
and voting limited to bishops. Vatican is the smallest internationally recognized as independent
states in the world headed by Pope Francis the 266 th pope of Roman Catholic Church who has
an authority over religious and non-religious matters. The City State is consisting of 44 hectares
inside the Rome. In 1929, as recognized state through treaties with Italy. Pope was elected by
college of cardinals, they were elected for life and may resign if they want. College of Cardinals
is the body of all cardinals of the catholic church its members as of June 5, 2019 is about 220.

Administration of Vatican City

As with almost all monarchies, the executive, legislative and judicial power of
government reside in the crown, in this case in the office of the Bishop of Rome (the pope).
However, as with many monarchies, the pope exercises this power through other organs which
act on his behalf and in his name.
The pope commonly delegates the internal administration of Vatican City to various
bodies and officials. However, according to the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State,
"The Supreme Pontiff, sovereign of Vatican City State, has the fullness of legislative, executive,
and judicial powers" for Vatican City.
The pope delegates legislative authority for the state to the unicameral Pontifical
Commission for Vatican City State. This commission was established in 1939 by Pope Pius XII. It
consists of seven Cardinals appointed by the pope for five-year terms. Laws passed by the
Commission must be approved by the pope through the Secretariat of State prior to being
published and taking effect.
The President of the Pontifical Commission is also the President of the Governorate of
Vatican City, to whom the pope delegates executive authority for the state. The president is
assisted by a Secretary General and a Vice Secretary General. Each of these officers is appointed
by the pope for a five-year term. Actions of the President must be approved by the
Commission. Various departments and offices report to the Governorate, handling such issues
as communications, internal security, fire protection, and the Vatican Museums. The Corpo
della Gendarmeria is the state's security and police force, not the Pontifical Swiss Guard, which
is an organ of the Holy See, not Vatican City.
Executive
The Pope is ex officio sovereign of the Vatican City State since 1929. He delegates
executive authority to the President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, who
is ex officio President of the Governorate and head of government of Vatican. The president is
appointed by the Pope for a five-year term, but may be removed at any time by the pope. The
president reports all important matters to the Secretariat of State, the Pope's chief everyday
advisory body, which is consulted on all matters, even if they belong to the specific competence
of the Commission for Vatican City State or, for instance, that of the Congregation for Catholic
Education. The Secretariat of State is not thereby considered to hold responsibility for such
matters, and the Cardinal Secretary of State is not seen as heading the Vatican City State or the
various departments of the Roman Curia, other than the Secretariat of State itself.
Legislative
A unicameral Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, appointed by the Pope,
operates as legislative branch, proposing law and policy to the Pope. Prior to taking
effect, lawsand policies passed by the commission must be approved by the Supreme Pontiff,
through the Secretariat of State, and be published in the Italian-language supplement of
the Acta Apostolicae Sedis that deals with Vatican City State matters. The "Councillors of the
State" give their consultation in the drafting of legislation.They may be consulted either alone
or collegially.
Judiciary
Vatican City has a legal system distinct from that of Italy. The pope's judicial authority is
exercised through the Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, as he by law
serves also as the President of the Cassation Court of Vatican City (i.e. the highest court of
appeal)
The population of the state is a few hundred. Each day outsiders come there to work. 18
million people visit there each year.In one year its courts tried 640 civil cases and 226 penal
cases. The penal cases are usually for minor crimes such as pickpocketing. If such crimes are
committed in Saint Peter's Square, the perpetrators may be arrested and tried by the Italian
authorities, since that area is normally patrolled by Italian police.
Under the terms of article 22 of the Lateran Treaty, Italy will, at the request of the Holy
See, punish individuals for crimes committed within Vatican City and will it proceed against the
person who committed the offence, if that person takes refuge in Italian territory.
Persons accused of crimes recognized as such both in Italy and in Vatican City that are
committed in Italian territory will be handed over to the Italian authorities if they take refuge in
Vatican City or in buildings that under the treaty enjoy immunity.
 Vatican City has no prison system, apart from a few detention cells for pre-trial
detention. People convicted of committing crimes in the Vatican serve terms in Italian prisons
(Polizia Penitenziaria), with costs covered by the Vatican.

Numerous Islamic theocracies also exist, such as Afghanistan, Mauritania, Yemen, Iran
and Somalia, where the Islamic teachings of “Sharia” are considered law. Saudi Arabia is
another example, going so far as to have “religious police” that ensures compliance among
citizens.

An Islamic state is a state that has adopted Islam and sharia law system in which
considered the official state law in Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Somalia,
Sudan and Yemen.

Sharia law is the moral code and Religious law of Islam that deals with many topic like:
crime and politics, economics, hygiene and diet and prayers and fasting.