Theocratic Republic
A theocratic republic is a form of government that combines elements of popular rule with religious authority, where laws and governance are largely influenced by religious principles. In this system, civic leaders are typically elected rather than inheriting their positions, aligning with the foundational concept of a republic. A defining characteristic of a theocratic republic is that a deity or deities are viewed as the ultimate source of authority, guiding civil matters often through a body of religious scholars who interpret scripture and oversee governmental processes.
Modern examples of theocratic republics include Iran, which is widely recognized as such, while countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Mauritania are sometimes categorized within this framework due to their governance according to Islamic law. In these nations, the structures of government often include elected officials, yet the overarching authority remains with religious figures or doctrines, limiting the scope of citizen choice in elections. Citizens in a theocratic republic have the right to vote, but their options are typically restricted by prevailing religious authority, influencing who may run for office and what laws can be enacted. This system can lead to varying rights and freedoms based on an individual’s religious affiliation, particularly for religious minorities, who may face significant limitations.
Theocratic Republic
Guiding Premise
A theocratic republic is a type of government blending popular and religious influence to determine the laws and governmental principles. A republic is a governmental system based on the concept of popular rule and takes its name from the Latin words for “public matter.” The defining characteristic of a republic is that civic leaders hold elected, rather than inherited, offices. A theocracy is a governmental system in which a supreme deity is considered the ultimate authority guiding civil matters.
Only one modern nation, Iran, is widely considered to be a theocratic republic. Three others, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Mauritania, are sometimes considered to fall into the category because they are officially governed according to Islamic law. The Buddhist nation of Tibet operated under a theocratic system until it was taken over by Communist China in the early 1950s.
In general, a theocratic republic forms in a nation or other governmental system dominated by a single religious group. The laws of the government are formed in reference to a set of religious laws, either taken directly from sacred texts or formulated by religious scholars and authority figures. Most theocratic governments depend on a body of religious scholars who interpret religious scripture, advise all branches of government, and oversee the electoral process.
Typical Structure
In a typical republic, the government is divided into executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and citizens vote to elect leaders to one or more of the branches of government. In most modern republics, voters elect a head of state, usually a president, to lead the executive branch. In many republics, voters also elect individuals to serve as legislators. Members of the judiciary may be elected by voters or may be appointed to office by other elected leaders. In nontheocratic republics, the citizens are considered the ultimate source of authority in the government.
In a theocratic republic, however, one or more deities are considered to represent the ultimate governmental authority. In some cases, the government may designate a deity as the ultimate head of state. Typically, any individual serving as the functional head of state is believed to have been chosen by that deity, and candidates for the position must be approved by the prevailing religious authority.
In some cases, the religious authority supports popular elections to fill certain governmental posts. In Iran, for instance, citizens vote to elect members to the national parliament and a single individual to serve as president. The Iranian government is ultimately led by a supreme leader, who is appointed to office by the Assembly of Experts, the leaders of the country’s Islamic community. Though the populace chooses the president and leaders to serve in the legislature, the supreme leader of Iran can overrule decisions made in any other branch of the government.
In a theocratic republic, the power to propose new laws may be given to the legislature, which works on legislation in conjunction with the executive branch. However, all laws must conform to religious law, and any legislation produced within the government is likely to be abolished if it is deemed by the religious authorities to violate religious principles. In addition, religious leaders typically decide which candidates are qualified to run for specific offices, thereby ensuring that the citizens will not elect individuals who are likely to oppose religious doctrine.
In addition, many modern nations that operate on a partially theocratic system may adopt a set of governmental principles in the form of a constitution, blended with religious law; this is the case for most partially theocratic nations in the twenty-first century.
Role of the Citizen
Citizens in a theocratic republic are expected to play a role in forming the government through elections, but they are constrained in their choices by the prevailing religious authority. Citizens are also guaranteed certain freedoms, typically codified in a constitution, that have been formulated with reference to religious law. All citizens must adhere to religious laws, regardless of their personal religious beliefs or membership within any existing religious group.
In many Middle Eastern and African nations that operate on the basis of an Islamic theocracy, citizens elect leaders from groups of candidates chosen by the prevailing religious authority. While the choices presented to the citizens are more limited than in a democratic, multiparty republic, the citizens nevertheless play a role in determining the evolution of the government through their voting choices.
The freedoms and rights afforded to citizens in a theocratic republic may depend, in part, on the individual’s religious affiliation. For instance, Muslims living in Islamic theocracies may be permitted to hold political office or to aspire to other influential political positions, while members of minority religious groups may find their rights and freedoms limited. Religious minorities living in Islamic republics may not be permitted to run for certain offices, such as president, and must follow laws that adhere to Islamic principles but may violate their own religious principles. Depending on the country and the adherents’ religion, the practice of their faith may itself be considered criminal.
Examples
Holy See (Vatican City)
Tibet
Bibliography
Axworthy, Michael. Revolutionary Iran: A History of the Islamic Republic. Oxford UP, 2016.
Cooper, William W., and Piyu Yue. Challenges of the Muslim World: Present, Future and Past. Elsevier, 2008.
"Government Type." CIA World Factbook, 2022, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/government-type/. Accessed 28 Jan. 2022.
Hirschl, Ran. Constitutional Theocracy. Harvard UP, 2010.
Saikal, Amin. Iran Rising: The Survival and Future of the Islamic Republic. Princeton UP, 2019.