Who rules //
Theocracy
What is a theocracy?
The rulers of a country run as a theocracy claim that their power is given to them from God. If the people of the country are very religious, these theocratic leaders can be especially powerful.
What would life be like under a theocracy?
There's usually one main religion in a theocracy. Everyone is meant to be a member of the main religion and the laws in the country fit in with the religion's rules. If you're not part of the main religion then you won't have many (if any) rights and could face punishment. If you don't like the decisions that the government is making, you can appear to be going against God. This can have very serious consequences.
Key Points
- A theocracy is a government which claims to get its power from God.
- There is usually one main religion that everyone must follow. Other religions are not allowed.
- The laws of the country derive from the rules of the main religion.
- If someone who lives in a theocracy does not follow the main religion, they do not have the same rights as everyone else. They can be excluded from having any say into what happens in the country.
Reality Bytes: Afghanistan
The Taliban (the ruling group) ruled in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. They wanted to create the world's only real and pure Muslim country. Everyone had to follow the religion. They enforced strict Islamic laws, introduced public executions and banned anything that they thought might cause unsuitable behaviour such as television and music.
Girls and women were forbidden to go to school or to work and were forced to live very sheltered lives. For women, laughing loudly or being heard speaking by strangers was against the law. They weren't allowed to wear bright colours and had to be covered from head to toe with just a small gap to see through.
Men whose beards were not the right length would also be punished. If people didn't follow the very strict rules they could face public beatings and even death.
Women try on and buy gold necklaces, with their harvest income, in a jewellery shop in the market area of central Kabul. Despite the fall of the Taliban, most women still wear the burqa.
Interesting Facts
- The Taliban ruled from 1996 to 2001.
- Just 36% of the population in Afghanistan can read and write.
- Israel and Iran are examples of modern theocracies.
Big Question
- Could you define the advantages and disadvantages of living in a theocracy?
