Which form of government includes leaders selected based on religious criteria?

Theocracy is the form of government in which leaders are selected based on religious criteria, making it unique compared to other governance systems. In a theocracy, the authority of the government is derived from divine guidance or religious texts, and political leaders are often also religious leaders. This intertwining of government and religion means that laws and policies are often heavily influenced by the beliefs and doctrines of the prevailing faith.

This contrasts with systems like plutocracy, where power is concentrated in the hands of the wealthy; aristocracy, which is governed by a privileged class; and oligarchy, where a small group of individuals holds power over a larger population. In theocracy, the validity of leadership and governance is fundamentally linked to religious legitimacy, making it essential for understanding how such a government operates and the nature of its rule.