Democracy vs. Theocracy — What's the Difference?

Governance based on the principle of equal rights and participation of citizens.

A system of government in which priests rule in the name of a god or gods.

The belief in freedom and equality between citizens.

A state where religious considerations drive political decisions.

Democracy (Greek: δημοκρατία, dēmokratiā, from dēmos 'people' and kratos 'rule') refers to a form of government in which the people either have the authority to choose their governing legislators, or the authority to decide on legislation. Who is considered part of the people and how authority is shared among or delegated by the people has changed over time and at different speeds in different countries, but more and more of the inhabitants of countries have generally been included.

A political system where religious law and secular law are one and the same.

Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.

Rule based on religious authority rather than democratic choice.

A political or social unit that has such a government.

Governance by religious leaders claiming divine guidance.

The common people, considered as the primary source of political power.

Theocracy is a form of government in which a deity of some type is recognized as the supreme ruling authority, giving divine guidance to human intermediaries that manage the day-to-day affairs of the government.The Imperial cult of ancient Rome identified Roman emperors and some members of their families with the divinely sanctioned authority (auctoritas) of the Roman State. The official offer of cultus to a living emperor acknowledged his office and rule as divinely approved and constitutional: his Principate should therefore demonstrate pious respect for traditional Republican deities and mores.

Majority rule.

Government ruled by or subject to religious authority.

The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community.

A country or state governed in this way.

(uncountable) Rule by the people, especially as a form of government; either directly or through elected representatives (representative democracy).

Government under the control of a state religion.

A government under the direct or representative rule of the people of its jurisdiction.

Rule by a god.

(countable) A state with a democratic system of government.

Government of a state by the immediate direction or administration of God; hence, the exercise of political authority by priests as representing the Deity.

(uncountable) Belief in political freedom and equality; the "spirit of democracy".

The state thus governed, as the Hebrew commonwealth before it became a kingdom.

Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by the people.

A political unit governed by a deity (or by officials thought to be divinely guided)

Government by popular representation; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but is indirectly exercised through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed; a constitutional representative government; a republic.

The belief in government by divine guidance

Collectively, the people, regarded as the source of government.

The principles and policy of the Democratic party, so called.

The political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives

A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

The doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group

A system of government by the whole population, typically through elected representatives.

A political system where the majority rules but respects minority rights.

A system that promotes the free and fair expression of the people’s will.

While rare, it's possible for elements of both systems to coexist, but there's often tension between democratic principles and theocratic mandates.

In a democracy, leaders are typically chosen through elections by the public.

Democracy is governance by the people, often via elected representatives, while Theocracy is governance by religious leaders based on divine guidance.

Yes, a theocracy might restrict or mandate certain religious practices or beliefs in line with its own doctrine.

In a theocracy, leaders might be chosen based on religious qualifications, divine appointments, or inheritance.

Yes, democracy typically promotes freedom of religion as a fundamental right.

Iran and the Vatican City are often cited as examples of theocracies.

Yes, in a theocracy, laws often draw directly from religious scriptures or divine revelations.

Yes, democracy is responsive to public opinion, and laws and policies can evolve based on the will of the people.

Yes, secularism, or the separation of church and state, is a fundamental aspect of many democracies.

Countries like the United States, Canada, and many European nations are examples of democracies.

In democracy, the rule of law, free press, and regular elections ensure accountability.

Not necessarily. In theocracies, rights and freedoms might be subject to religious interpretations and restrictions.

While democracies typically protect minority rights as a core principle, theocracies may or may not, depending on their religious tenets.

Theocracies often claim to rule based on divine will or guidance, giving them a religious legitimacy.