Theocratic monarchy is a form of civil government in which official policy is directly regulated by divine guidance, the interpretation of the will of God, as indicated in religious scriptures, in accordance with the teachings of a particular religion.
In practice, the clergy, as accredited representatives of an invisible deity, real or imagined, proclaim and clarify the laws of public policy. In the strictest sense, it means a ruler who considers himself an emissary of God, and all laws are passed to them under God's guidance. The head of a theocratic government is also the head of a religious institution. 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" was Josephus Flavius, who, apparently, tried to explain the Greek organization "The Jewish Union" to the pagan readers with the Greek words "theos" (god) and "krateo" (control). Although in this regard, Josephus, comparing it with other forms of government (monarchy, oligarchy, republic), enters into a long and somewhat confused discussion of the topic, he does not explain what a "theocratic monarchy" is.
Countries, for example, in modern times, you can consider a similar form of government, include Saudi Arabia, Iran, the Vatican.
In many states there are still certain official religions, civil laws may be influenced by theological or moral concepts, but these conditions do not fall under the condition of theocracy. A secular state can also coexist with the state religion or delegate certain aspects of the civil law of religious communities.
During the Middle Ages, many monarchies were at least partially theocratic. The decisions of rulers in Catholic countries were often questioned and rejected if the popes did not agree with them. Religious leaders advised rulers on issues not only of religion, but also of state. The situation began to change when Protestantism and other non-Catholic religions became influential in certain countries.
The absolute theocratic monarchy of the elective type is 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, exercises legislative, executive, and judicial powers in the Vatican City and in the universal Roman Catholic Church in accordance with his position. Given the multidimensional nature of the power of the pope, an administrative structure known as the Roman Curia, whose members are appointed by the authority of the pope, was created to manage within 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 religion is Islam, in particular Sharia, theocratic monarchy has been the only form of government for many centuries. From the time when the Prophet Muhammad created the Arab-Muslim (feudal) state in Medina in the seventh century until the beginning of the twentieth century, when the last caliphate in Turkey broke up. The Caliph (successor) was the head of state, governing according to Sharia (Islamic law), based on the Qur'an and Sunnah. Although the caliphs did not have direct instructions from Allah, they, like the Prophet, were obliged to justify their decrees in accordance with this code of divine commands and prohibitions, demonstrating that Allah is the ultimate authority.
The most famous 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).
In modern times, the political system of the Islamic Republic of Iran is described as a real theocracy, in any case, as indicated in the directory of the US CIA.
When the leader of Iran became Ruholla Musavi Khomeini, from 1979 to 1989, the alignment of religious and political forces was sharply transformed: Shiite Islam became an inseparable element of the political structure of the state. Such was the stated purpose of the 1979 Iranian revolution - to overthrow the Shah’s rule and restore Islamic ideology in Iranian society.
Shiite Islam is the official religion of Iran. According to the 1979 Constitution (as amended in 1989), the political, economic, social system of the Islamic Republic of Iran is determined by Islamic ideology. The head of state, establishing the general policy of the country, is the Senior 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 Musavi Khomeini and his successor, Great Ayatollah Ali Khoseini Khamenei (from 1989 to the present).
The senior manager appoints the heads of many important government agencies. Also, according to the Iranian constitution, he approves the powers of the president, can veto laws passed by the parliament (Majlis), traditionally he gives permission to presidential candidates to declare their candidacy.
Theocratic monarchy of a special kind is a form of government in Saudi Arabia. Rather, it will be said that the state is 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 during consultations between senior princes of the royal family and religious organizations. The Quran is declared the Constitution of the country, which is governed on the basis of Muslim law (Sharia).
