Final answer:
A theocracy is a government wherein power is held by religious leaders considered to be divinely guided or by laws believed to represent a deity's will. This form of government is distinct from democracies, monarchies, and oligarchies where power sources vary.
Step-by-step explanation:
A theocracy is a form of government where the official policy is determined by leaders who are perceived to be divinely guided, or it operates under the immediate divine guidance of a supreme deity. This contrasts with other forms of government such as monarchies, oligarchies, and democracies, where the power structure and legitimacy can be based on different forms of leadership and social contracts.
Theocracy involves a religious hierarchy that typically controls the state's administrative framework, making it unique among government systems. Examples of historically theocratic societies include ancient Egypt, where the pharaohs were believed to be gods in human form, and modern day Iran, which is a theocratic republic wherein the Supreme Leader holds significant religious and political power.