Final answer:
Two words to describe government in Islamic heartlands are 'religious state' and 'caliphate', with governance often reflecting a blend of religious and political power unified under a Muslim ruler.
Step-by-step explanation:
The government in Islamic heartlands can often be described using the terms religious state and caliphate. A religious state is one where Islamic religious codes, such as the Sharia criminal code, predominate over civil laws. In history, the term caliphate refers to the area under the control of a Muslim ruler, called a caliph, and represents a system where both religious and state powers are unified. This form of governance contrasts with a secular state where religion and state are kept separate. Throughout different periods and regions, Islamic governments have varied, influenced by factors such as the division between Sunni and Shia Islam, approaches to democratic reforms, and the impact of Islamic fundamentalism versus moderate reformers.