theocracy

/θiˈɑkrəsi/

Other forms: theocracies

When religious doctrine is the law of the land, most likely you're living in a theocracy. There's not a lot of room for dissent in theocracies, where religious leaders are in charge and say they are speaking for God.

Notice the similarities between theocracy and democracy? In Greek, theo- means "God" and -kratia "power or rule." A democracy is ruled by dēmos, "the people." An autocracy is one ruled by a single person with absolute power, like a king (or your mom). In theocracies, God rules.

Definitions of theocracy

1. noun

   a political unit governed by a deity (or by officials thought to be divinely guided)
   types:

   church-state

   a state ruled by religious authority

   hierocracy

   a ruling body composed of clergy

   type of:

   form of government, political system

   the members of a social organization who are in power
2. noun

   the belief in government by divine guidance
   type of:

   ideology, political orientation, political theory

   an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group or nation