Final answer:
A theocracy is a government system where religious leaders govern in the name of a deity or through divine guidance, often without relying on fair elections for legitimacy. It represents one form of governance among others like democracies, oligarchies, and monarchies, and markedly differs from democratic systems which involve citizen participation and electoral legitimacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
A theocracy is a type of government in which religious leaders rule in the name of a deity or by the belief in divine guidance. This system is distinct from a secular state with a state religion or a monarchy justified by the Divine Right of Kings. In a theocracy, religious doctrines significantly influence the legal and administrative systems, and the rulers often claim to be directed by divine authority.
Contrary to democracies, where governments are elected by the people or their representatives, theocracies may not necessarily rely on fair elections for the legitimization of power. Elections may be influenced by religious institutions or may not occur at all, and often legitimacy is derived from religious rather than popular approval.
In the context of global politics, there are different forms of governance, such as monarchy, oligarchy, totalitarian dictatorship, and democracy. Each system of governance holds varying degrees of citizen involvement and civil liberty. Oligarchies and theocracies are some forms where power resides in a few individuals, contrasting with the more egalitarian nature of democracies.