Theocracy
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Theocracy is a form of government ruled by divine means or by leaders considered to be divinely guided. Israel was a theocracy before King Saul. The Islamic Republic of Iran is a modern-day theocracy, as many commentators believe that the real power in its government lies not in democratically-elected leaders like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad but in clerics within the government. The Vatican is a formal Christian theocracy, with the Pope as head of both church and state. All Christians look forward to the day prophesied in scripture when Jesus Christ will directly rule human affairs.
Theocracy may also describe any government which seeks to impose religious principles or law on its population, even if the government is formally secular.