DarkDruid

I was just wondering... how many theocrats (or religiously-backed rulers) are there today, or have reigned recently? More specifically, in 3rd world nations? If anybody who knows much about current events or recent history, I'd be grateful if you responded. I'm just curious....

Automaton

George W. Bush

never been there

I'll scoop the easy ones:

Actual theocracies: Saudi Arabia, Iran
de facto theocracies: Sudan, Yemen, some part of Northern Nigeria
Theoretically theocracies: Great Britain, Thailand

In addition, there are countries which give one or several religions constitutional weight (Ireland), some where a major party has a theological affiliation (Germany) and others where the secular authorities aren't going to do anything for you if you get on the wrong side of the faithful.

Daydreamer

Say it ain't so! I thought GB had their religious parties under control.

The Resistance

I think that's why he said "theoretical" theocracies. They are technically w/o a seperation of church and state, but religion doesn't play a big part in British politics, at least compared to the US.

Oresta

True. The queen is "the defender of the faith," but who listens to what's-her-name these days?

BibleBelted

Perhaps some of our Brit friends can enlighten us. I am not an expert on UK politics but I thought there were some seats in the House of Lords reserved for Anglican Church appointees.

And how does it feel having a House of "Lords," anyway?

BTW, is Saudi Arabia technically a theocracy? I was under the impression that it is a monarchy that uses the Koran to legitimize itself. Same as in most (all?)of the Gulf states.

Hmmm, on the other hand, perhaps that is a distinction without a difference.

ohwilleke

As of July, 2001, following a dramatic reduction in the number of hereditary peers, the House of Lords was composed to 2 archbishops of the Church of England, 24 Bishops of the Church of England, 592 life peers and 91 hereditary peers. Several of the life peers are "law lords" who are drawn from the judiciary and serve as the equivalent of the Supreme Court for the United Kingdom and in another form called the Privy Council as the highest court of several former British colonies.

never been there

That's how I meant it. They are, of course, just using the Quran to legitimize their rule, but since the religious police actually have legal power, one sect's idea of what constitutes Islam is the basis for the country's law. It's an absolute monarchy, so you can't go looking up the constitution like you can in Iran.

Speaking of countries that don't have a constitution, Britain has an established church - the Church of England (Anglicans or Episcopalians, depending on where you live) is the official church, and the rest just have freedom of religion. One of the Scandinavian countries - Sweden? - just disestablished the Lutheran church. For the time being, in Britain antidisestablishmentarianism still holds sway.

Gotta love a board where you can use that word in context!