Theocratic monarchy: examples of countries

Theocratic monarchy is form of civil government, in whichofficial policy is governed directly by the divine guidance, the interpretation of the will of God, as stated in the religious Scriptures, in accordance with the teachings of a particular religion.

In practice, the clergy as aaccredited representatives of the invisible deity, real or imaginary, proclaims and explains the laws of state policy. In the strictest sense, a ruler is meant who sees himself as an emissary of God, and all laws are taken under God's guidance. The head of the theocratic government is also the head of the religious institute. Thus, civil laws and functions are part of religion, implying the absorption of the state by the church.

One of the first to use the term "theocracy" wasJosephus Flavius, who, apparently, tried to explain the organization of the Jewish Union with the Greek words "theos" (god) and "krayeo" (manage) the Gentile readers. Although in this connection Josephus, comparing it with other forms of government (monarchy, oligarchy, republic), enters into a long and somewhat muddled discussion of the topic, he does not explain what "theocratic monarchy" is.

Countries, on the example of which in modern times can be considered a similar form of state system, include Saudi Arabia, Iran, the Vatican.

In many states there is stillcertain official religions, civil laws may be influenced by theological or moral concepts, but these conditions do not fall under the condition of theocracy. To co-exist with the state religion or delegate certain aspects of civil law to religious communities can also be a secular state.

During the Middle Ages, many monarchies wereat least partially theocratic. The rulers' decisions in Catholic countries were often questioned and rejected, if the Pope did not agree with them. Religious leaders advised the rulers on issues not only of religion, but also of the state. The situation began to change when Protestantism and other non-Catholic religions gained influence in certain countries.

Absolute theocratic monarchy of elective type- a form of government in the Vatican. The head of state is the Holy See (Pope and Administrative Council - Roman Curia). The Pope, who is the sovereign of the Holy See, in accordance with his office carries out legislative, executive, judicial power in the Vatican State and in the universal Roman Catholic Church. Given the multidimensional nature of the power of the Pope, an administrative structure, known as the Roman Curia, whose members are appointed by the pope, was created to manage within the carefully designed categories of power.

The new pope, after the death of the previous one, is elected by the conclave, consisting only of cardinals.

In states where the state religionis Islam, in particular the Sharia, the theocratic monarchy has been the only form of government for many centuries. Since the time when the Prophet Muhammad created the Arab-Muslim (feudal) state in Medina in the seventh century and until the beginning of the twentieth century, when the last caliphate disintegrated in Turkey. The Caliph (successor) was the head of state, ruling according to the Shari'ah (the laws of Islam), based on the Quran and the Sunnah. Although the Caliphs did not have direct instructions directly from Allah, they, like the Prophet, were obliged to justify the decrees issued by them in accordance with this set of Divine commands and prohibitions, demonstrating that Allah is the ultimate authority.

The most famous in the history of theocratic monarchy in the Islamic world is the Arab caliphate under the caliphs of the Umayyad dynasty or the "Righteous Caliphs" (the first four caliphs after the Prophet Muhammad).

At the present time, the state structure of the Islamic Republic of Iran is described as a real theocracy, at least as stated in the US CIA handbook.

When Iran's leader became Ruhollah Mousavi Khomeini,from 1979 to 1989, the arrangement of religious and political forces were sharply transformed: Shiite Islam became an inseparable element of the political structure of the state. Such was the declared goal of the Iranian revolution of 1979 - to overthrow the Shah's rule and restore Islamic ideology in Iranian society.

Shiite Islam is the official religionIran. According to the Constitution of 1979 (with the amendments of 1989), Islamic ideology determines the political, economic, social structure of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The head of state, setting the general policy of the country, is the supreme leader, who is appointed by the Council of Experts.

There were two top leaders in Iran: the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ruhollah Mousavi Khomeini, and his successor, the Grand Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei (from 1989 to the present).

The top manager appoints the heads of many importantstate structures. Also, according to the Iranian constitution, he confirms the powers of the president, can veto laws passed by the parliament (Mejlis), he traditionally gives permission to presidential candidates to declare his candidacy.

Theocratic monarchy of a special kind -form of government in Saudi Arabia. Rather it will be said that in the state an absolute monarchy, based on the principles of Islam. The King of Saudi Arabia is the head of state and head of government. However, most decisions are made in the course of consultations between senior princes of the royal family and religious organizations. The Qur'an is declared by the Constitution of the country, which is governed by Islamic law (Sharia).