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Is theocracy good? Is theocracy good?
Yes, theocracies have many good points Yes, theocracies have many good points
No, there many problems with theocracies No, there many problems with theocracies
Theocracies can be implemented in different ways Theocracies can be implemented in different ways
Theocracies create a sense of unity within society Theocracies create a sense of unity within society
A theocratic government structure is efficient A theocratic government structure is efficient
A theocracy encourages stability A theocracy encourages stability
Compromise is never needed in the context of a theocracy Compromise is never needed in the context of a theocracy
Theocracy is an excuse for legitimised oppression Theocracy is an excuse for legitimised oppression
Alternative opinions are rarely welcomed in a theocracy Alternative opinions are rarely welcomed in a theocracy
Theocracies are dictatorships Theocracies are dictatorships
Theocracies are fine as long as it is my religion Theocracies are fine as long as it is my religion
Many countries are quasi-theocracies but claim not to be Many countries are quasi-theocracies but claim not to be
There are different levels of theocracy There are different levels of theocracy
The issue is with how theocracies are carried out The issue is with how theocracies are carried out
The alternatives to theocracy around the world don't work The alternatives to theocracy around the world don't work
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Is theocracy good?
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Theocracies can be implemented in different ways

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Many countries are quasi-theocracies but claim not to be

There are theocracies around the world, but many do not acknowledge that they are theocracies.
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The Argument

Of the relatively few that exist today, Islamic theocracies often receive the most attention in Western culture. These include Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Afghanistan and Iran. Iran has been described as a "theocratic republic," and its constitution has been described as a "hybrid" of theocratic and democratic elements. However, other theocracies also exist. Vatican City is ruled by the Pope (who Catholics believe is a direct descendant of Saint Peter) and Mount Athos in Greece is under the direct jurisdiction the Eastern Orthodox church. The state of Israel is a theocracy and they believe they are the chosen nation of the Living God. [1] [2] The Puritans who colonised the USA had a theocracy for many years with religion playing a central part in their lives.[3] Despite this, the US prides itself on its enshrinement of the separation of church and state. The First Amendment of the US Constitution, ratified in 1791, prevents the implementation of religiously motivated legislation and protects freedom of religion.[4] However, there is abundant evidence to suggest the presence of an American theocracy that violates the First Amendment of the US constitution and fails to separate church and state.[5][6] Western society is judgemental against Middle Eastern theocracies, but Iran, for example, has not demonstrated any great deal of arbitrary rule, persecution, or tendencies to declare war or threats of massacres against other countries. This sits in stark contrast to many Western governments.[7] On women’s rights, the US still ranks 75th out of 193 countries on women's representation in government, with no female president in contrast to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Senegal, Indonesia, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, and Mali who have all had female heads of state.[5]

Counter arguments

Premises

[P1] Theocracies exist around the world in many different forms.

Rejecting the premises

Further Reading

Megoran N. 2009. Theocracy. In Kitchin R, Thrift N (eds) International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, Volume 11, pp. 223–228. Oxford: Elsevier. Omid , H. (1992( Theocracy or Democracy? The Critics of 'Westoxification' and the Politics of Fundamentalism in Iran. Third World Quarterly, 13 (4), 675-690 Pew Research Center (2012). Lobbying for the Faithful. https://www.pewforum.org/2011/11/21/lobbying-for-the-faithful-exec/

References

  1. https://connectusfund.org/6-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-theocracy
  2. https://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/nick.megoran/pdf/theocracy.pdf
  3. http://www.ibiblio.org/byers/wq/theocracy.html
  4. https://www.youngbhartiya.com/article/american-theocracy-the-myth-of-separation-of-church-and-state
  5. https://www.pewforum.org/2011/11/21/lobbying-for-the-faithful-exec/
  6. https://harvardilj.org/2008/10/online_49_hirschl/
  7. https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/lordre/2015/10/theocracy-is-not-necessarily-bad.html

In the Wild

This page was last edited on Monday, 6 Apr 2020 at 08:28 UTC

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