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Kar Shin Lin

Ms. Thompson
AP Language, Block 2, Skinny A
13 March 2015
Term Paper: Publish-Ready
Theocracies: Precedents, Challenges, and Implications
In this day and age, people, along with ideas, are connected on a tightly woven network
spread all throughout the four corners of the earth. Consequently, this rapid exchange of beliefs
has cultured a society acclimated to a certain level of propriety. Globalization has, in a sense,
caused people to openly accept popular trends and to neglect more historical and ethically
important aspects. Societys digression from cultural to popular interests is evident in many parts
of the world. Therefore, the vast number of people on this planet presents a roadblock for the rise
of theocracies in many regions; increased communication, globalization, and abundance of
religious and secular perspectives impede any religion from gaining ascendency.
On any given continent, there are copious religions and beliefs with which people are
dogmatic. In order to gain a broad sense of the complications that exist in establishing a
theocracy, one needs to examine the eccentric characteristics that define each belief system.
Christianity, similar to Judaism, is one of the most common proselytizing religions today. It
encompasses a large fraction of the worlds religious community. Its origins stemmed from the
belief that a deity created the world along with its phenomena; the theory survives today and is at
the heart of Christian principles. The most ubiquitous origin of this religion holds true that Jesus,
born about 5 BCE and the son of God, was crucified for the mans sins (Hick 246). It is believed
that God has resurrected him from the deadthe very conviction that served as the impetus for

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the Christian church (247). Christians, including its various sects and denominations, believe in
the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, although variations of these beliefs
exist (247-248). They congregate in weekly services in Churches led by either a priest, the Pope,
or other figure whose job it is to relay the message of God (249). In addition to Christianity is
another common monotheistic religion called Islam. Its adherents differ from Christians in that
Muslims believe in a highly egalitarian society in which everyone is equal in the eyes of their
God, Allah, and that Muhammad is the prophet, sent to relay the revelations from Allah;
conversely, Christians have a hierarchy consisting of God, the bishops, and the priests (Omar
299). The Islam doctrine preaches peaceful submission to God and must show this through the
Five Pillars, also called the acts of faith: belief in one God, Allah, and the Prophet, Muhammad,
prayer towards Mecca five times a day, fasting during Ramadan, charity, and the pilgrimage to
Mecca (299). Similar to the different denominations of Christianity, soon after the death of the
Prophet Muhammad, a fissure was created within the nascent religion. Those who believed the
successor to Muhammad should stem from his family, and be continued with his cousin Ali (Elhibri 2122). However, the majority of Muslims held the view that such leadership did not depend
on family lines and thus could be elected. Consequently, those who sanctioned Alis leadership
became known was the Shiites and those who supported the elected caliph became known was
the Sunnis (2123). The division of Islam sects would later ignite intraregional conflict that
continues to plague much of the Middle East region today. Furthermore, another region of the
ancient world that was considered the hot bed for religion was Asia, origin to a variety of
philosophies and beliefs. Most importantly, the third of the monotheistic religions is Buddhism,
which had its beginnings in the 400s or 500s BCE by Gautama Buddha who opposed the highly
ascetic native Indian religion Hinduism (Cheng 160). Gautama Buddha, also known as Guatama

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Siddhartha, was a prince in his own respect and was petrified to see the human suffering he
observed on his journey across India. This led him to adopt a belief that preached humanly
detachment from worldly possessions and desires. Buddhists believe that nothing is eternal and
that one can reach a state of enlightenment, called Nirvana, through the eightfold path, acts of
righteousness performed in successive lives.
Aside from the proselytizing religions of the ancient world, many regions, which
developed after conquests and exploration, feature different belief systems which navigated
thousands of miles. Most of the religions that took root in the explored regions of Latin America
or Africa resulted when Christianity and Islam coalesced with native traditions like African
animism or Latin American polytheistic and ancestor worship systems (Ramirez 2066). In
Africa, the native Zulu and Swahili peoples experienced a displacement in the religions that were
closely intertwined with varying ethnic groups (Ray 83). Similarly, in Latin America, the
displaced religion was unique in its own respect: burial sites, tombs, and great religious buildings
have been uncovered (Ramirez 2066). In both regions of the world, Islam and Christianity,
respectively, diffused and burgeoned within a couple centuries of their introduction. This early
mobility of ideals being transported by human migration foreshadowed the massive trend of
globalization that would occur in the twentieth century.
Today, the most compelling argument against powerful theocratic machines is the level
of propriety that exists, regardless of region. However, before this level of conformity existed in
society, the ability for a group of strict adherents to establish a functioning order was common,
especially in ancient China, India, and Europe. The knowledge of dynasties in ancient Asia are
commonplace, but greater detail needs to be examined to see how heavily influenced the regimes
truly were by Confucianism, Buddhism, and especially Daoism (Lazich 337). These popular

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religions highly dictated the activities in which the citizens of China participated. Daoism was
coupled with the ruling empires throughout the countrys history (339). The idea of an immortal
deity is traced back to the Shang dynasty (1766-1045 BCE), and with successive empires,
coalesced with the emperors to lead to the philosophy encouraged by many leaders: Mandate of
Heaven, in which the ruler was given his powers through divine right. In the Northern Song
Dynasty (960-1126 CE), the supreme deity of the Chinese ha[d] been popularly conceived of as
the Jade Emperor, [Yu Huang Shandi], the supreme ruler of the heavens and the underworld and
the protector of mankind (339). Different parts of the world evolved with different religions. All
of them present challenges to the rise of a theocracy. The largest regions of the world, Asia,
Africa, Europe, and the Americas, are all unique in that their environments all present different
issues to a religious regime.
Beginning with philosophical religions in Asia, traditions and cultures in Africa, and
adherent sects in the Middle East, a difference in ideals and beliefs has always existed around the
world. The existence of such a diverse array of religions impinges upon attempts for one religion
to establish a strong regime. The challenges are innumerable. Factions within religions cause
hostility that further hinders a theocracys development (Butt and Hooper). The varying sects of
Islam exemplify this notion:
The main divisions among Muslims are based on differing views of the political
succession to Muhammad. In the Sunni view the first four caliphs (successors) were
legitimately chosen by the community and were the best rulers the community has ever
had The Kharijites held that major sins disqualified a ruler, often seeking to enforce
this view by violent revolts In the Shiite view Muhammad had chosen his son-in-law
and cousin, 'Ali, as his successor, but the majority passed him over three times. When he

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finally became caliph (fourth in the Sunni reckoning), he could not stem the moral
decline and was soon murdered (Shepard 2068-2069).
The different sects split over how type of caliphate should have been established and the
differences collected over time; now, the sects each have their own agenda and perspectives.
Different interpretations and in todays society deters one belief or one perspective from
ascendency.
Contrary to the challenges presented here thus far, there have been exceptions where powerful
theocracies have been established. Charlemagnes imperious reign throughout much of Europe in
the 700s and 800s A.D was one of the most powerful Christian kingdoms established. He worked
to unite all Germanic peoples and convert his subjects to Christianity. His dominance across the
continent ensured the survival of the religion ("Charlemagne"). Perhaps one of the most powerful
regimes ever established in the world is Charlemagnes empire during the 7th and 8th century
A.D. His control over a vast region in Europe united it through a common denominator:
Christianity. Conversely, Charlemagne proved that it was possible to have a successful regime.
He dispersed thousands of soldiers throughout his empire and kept order. However, his empire
only lasted two centuries for a multitude of reasons. Outside influence from the Muslims to the
east caused his strength to deteriorate. In addition, his successors were not as capable as he was,
which led to their downfall. Another prime example of a theocracy that has managed to be
successful is the Vatican, which seems a bit anachronistic in todays society. Within the Vatican
political system, the Pope is the head of government, and all the high ranking state positions are
held by members of the clergy. The pontifical Swiss guard (founded in 1506 by Julius II, earlier
popes merely employed Swiss mercenaries) are the popes bodyguards and the Vaticans de
facto military, while the Corpo Della Gendarmeria is the acting police force ("Political

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Systems"). These two systems of government with a heavy religious influence were powerful
due to their ability to gain a massive number of adherents. This feat is rare in todays world
because of the vast number of beliefs and interpretations among those.
[Other] samples of theocratic governments through history [are] the king of Pharaonic Egypt,
especially since Ramses the Great was recognized as a living god. In ancient Rome, the emperor
was usually worshiped as a deity, until Constantine I converted to Christianity. This was also the
case in China and Japan, as recently as 1911 and 1946 respectively. The city-states of the Mayas
and the Inca Empires of pre-Columbian Peru are both examples of that fit the theocracy
definition ("Political Systems"). More examples of evanescent theocracies include Pharaonic
Egypt, and to a lesser extent, the Mayan and Incan Empires. In contrast to the successful
regimes, these serve as the attempts for theocracies that have occurred quite often. Their
weaknesses are almost always due to outside pressure, with the case of the Mayan and Incan
Empires, and internal conflict.
In conclusion, while theocracies have been known to exist, the conditions that supported them in
the past and with the Vatican in the present can be best described as anomalies. Such conditions
do not recur in society as to be ideal for the creation of a theocracy. For this reason, Islamic
regimes that have risen in the past century have for the most part failed after a short while. While
some may argue that there are still regions today that contain a widely conformed society and
that this society is ideal for a theocratic state, it is evident that a myriad of perspectives and
ideals exist everywhere with the increasing boom of technology. The diffusion of beliefs through
the information highway presents nations, previously insular at best, with up to date current
events. For this reason, it is cogent that the ability of religious leaders and religiously influenced
governments to exert control is tremendously enervated.

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Works Cited
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Muslim Leaders Tell Pope." The Guardian 12 Oct. 2007, World News ed.: n. pag.
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El-hibri, Tayeb. "Sunni Islam." Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa. Ed.
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World History In Context. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
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