HIEROCRACY Meaning and
Definition
-
Hierocracy is a noun that refers to a form of government or ruling system in which religious authorities or clergy members hold the highest positions of power and influence.
Derived from the Greek words "hieros" meaning "sacred" or "revered" and "kratos" meaning "rule" or "power," hierocracy is characterized by the fundamental involvement of religious leaders in making political decisions and administering laws. In this system, religious doctrines and principles are often used as the guiding principles for governance and legislation.
Hierocracy can manifest in various ways, depending on the specific religious context. It can range from a theocratic regime where religious leaders possess absolute power, to a system where religious authorities hold significant influence in policy-making alongside elected officials. The extent of clergy involvement in the hierocracy can vary, from having the final say on legislation to mere advisory roles.
Historically, hierocracies have been linked to theocracies, which are states or nations governed by religious institutions. Examples of hierocracies include medieval Europe during the influence of the Catholic Church and Iran under the Islamic Republic. While some argue that hierocracies promote divine guidance and moral governance, critics express concerns about the potential limitations on personal freedoms and human rights under such systems.
Overall, hierocracy represents a form of government that emphasizes the authority and influence of religious leaders, shaping the socio-political landscape based on religious principles.
Common Misspellings for HIEROCRACY
- gierocracy
- bierocracy
- nierocracy
- jierocracy
- uierocracy
- yierocracy
- huerocracy
- hjerocracy
- hkerocracy
- hoerocracy
- h9erocracy
- h8erocracy
- hiwrocracy
- hisrocracy
- hidrocracy
- hirrocracy
- hi4rocracy
- hi3rocracy
- hieeocracy
Etymology of HIEROCRACY
The word "hierocracy" is derived from two Greek roots: "hieros" meaning "sacred" or "holy", and "kratos" meaning "rule" or "power". In combination, "hieros" and "kratos" form the word "hierokratos", which translates to "rule by the sacred" or "government by the holy". The term "hierocracy" is a direct borrowing from Greek, where it conveys the idea of a religious or sacred authority governing a society or institution.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
