What do we mean? What is it?
When countries are in a crisis financially, or post-war, there is usually a power struggle that occurs. Different leaders and political parties use this to their advantage as a way to gain power by promising the people that they will bring what they want to the country, even though it is just an illusion in order for them to gain power. People have taken advantage of religion and used it as a source for their entry into power.
Definition of Theocracy
government of a state by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided -Merriam Webster
Government claims to be directed by God, or divinely blessed.
No separation between church and state
Citizens of other faiths are often excluded or expelled.
Saudi Arabia
Islamic theocratic monarchy, has one of the most controlled governments in the world.
The country is also home to two of Islam’s most holy sites, the cities of Mecca and Medina.
Since 1932, the land has been ruled exclusively by the House of Saud, and the legislation of this country is firmly rooted in sharia law. The Holy Quran and the Sunni School of Islam even serve as the country’s constitution.
The law does not forbid other religions from being practiced in the country, yet practice of religions other than Islam is completely deemed unacceptable and considered horrendous by the Islamic dominated society, hence anyone caught in the country insulting, disrespecting, or promoting any other faith can be punished in a variety of ways, including death.
Political Dissent?
Saudi officials lie and have constantly denied that any "political prisoners" exist, but activist groups have estimated that there might be as many as 30,000 people imprisoned for political purposes. Last year, Human Rights Watch noted that a number of Saudi human rights activists were given lengthy prison terms on vague charges such as “setting up an unlicensed organization" and "disobeying the ruler."
Length of Rule?
King Abdullah ascended to the throne in 2005, following the death of his half-brother, King Fahd. Abdullah's family, known as the House of Saud, has ruled Saudi Arabia since its inception in 1932. Elections, even on the municipal level, are rare in Saudi Arabia, and the House of Saud, despite being a relatively new monarchy in the world, follows a very traditional line of succession with its rulers and top government officials.
Cult Relation
Definition- a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object
Essentially this the same thing as what these leaders were/are doing in their countries. They are using religious devotion as a way to gain the trust and power over the people of their countries. They force people to spread their beliefs and force people to either follow them or be outcasted. The ones who are outcasted are usually imprisoned at best, or murdered. If you look at it from a general point of view it really is the same thing as a cult, just on a much larger scale. Either you join, or you are seen as opposing them, and the people who oppose are seen as a direct threat to the leader.
Muammar Mohammed Abu Minyar Gaddafi:
Known as Colonel Gaddafi, was a Libyan revolutionary, politician, and political theorist.
The Sunday Times of Malta reports that the former bodyguards said Gaddafi and his sons raped and abused them and then discarded the women once the men became “bored” with them.
Gaddafi has kept a cadre of about 30 women, known as his Amazonian guard, close by his side since the early 1970s. At times, the women took bullets for Gaddafi — one woman died and two were injured when the Libyan leader was attacked in 1998.
Gaddafi claimed to have women's rights at his heart. In 1981, he said that he had decided 'to wholly liberate the women of Libya in order to rescue them from a world of oppression and subjugation'
Discourse, Practice, Community, Institution
The Green Book is a short book setting out the political philosophy of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. The book was first published in 1975. It was "intended to be read for all people."
Solution?
Vitaly Mansky directed Under the Sun, a Netflix film that uses one North Korean family to examine how everyone—moviemakers, governments, even individuals—contorts reality to fit specific purposes
Matthew Heineman- directed Cartel Land, also a Netflix film, about the Templar Knights drug Cartel’s power in western Mexico.
Education
Presenting and educating the masses on the extent and power of theocracies worldwide, as well as the eminent dangers that this type of government may bring. Attending college campuses, buying advertisements, and spreading these documentaries that show the transparency of this form of government and the pressing effect it can have on the citizens of these nations.
Works Cited
Norman, Joshua. "The World's Enduring Dictators: Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz, Saudi Arabia." CBS News. CBS Interactive, 15 June 2011. Web. 08 May 2017.
Walters, Guy. "The Terrible Truth about Gaddafi's Harem: How Libyan Dictator Kidnapped and Raped Dozens of Women to Fulfil His Perverted Desires." Daily Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 24 Oct. 2013. Web. 08 May 2017.
Taylor, Adam. "The Facts — and a Few Myths — about Saudi Arabia and Human Rights." The Washington Post. WP Company, 09 Feb. 2015. Web. 08 May 2017.
Flock, Elizabeth. "Gaddafi's Female Bodyguards Say They Were Raped, Abused by the Libyan Leader." The Washington Post. WP Company, 29 Aug. 2011. Web. 08 May 2017.