Theocracy

Mario Ferrero

Chapter 110 in Elgar Encyclopedia of Public Choice, 2025, pp 780-785 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter focuses on theocracy as government either by clerics or a self-appointed religious group. Thus defined, theocracies are rare in history but long-lasting; they can be archaic as well as modern, self-enclosed or expansionary, conservative or revolutionary, and only some religions, not all, are conducive to them. A range of models tries to account for these features and to locate theocracies within the general theory of dictatorship. Their economic and social performance is discussed, which impacts on their viability and durability. Broader definitions of theocracy are also explored.

Keywords: Clerical government; Islamic theocracy; Conservative vs. revolutionary theocracies; Dictatorship; Religious law; Principal-agent theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781802207743
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