Theocracy

Theocracy, government in which power and authority are seen as derived directly from God and rulers are considered either incarnations or representative of divine power. In ancient times theocracy was widespread. During the Middle Ages in Europe the pope claimed ultimate authority in governing based on his religious authority, and later kings used the “divine right of kings” to justify their absolutist rule. Early Puritan colonies in New England like Massachusetts Bay and New Haven had leaders who claimed to derive their authority from God. While today secular and religious authority are for the most part separated in the Western democracies, their fusion in such political units as the Iranian Islamic Republic is still strong.