A theocracy in governance refers to a system where religious leaders control the government, and religious law is used as the basis for legal authority. In a theocracy, political and religious authority often blend, leading to a governing philosophy that can be informed by spiritual beliefs rather than secular principles. Theocratic governments may suppress dissenting beliefs, enforce adherence to specific doctrines, and sometimes limit civil liberties in the pursuit of maintaining religious conformity. This system raises questions about the separation of church and state and the rights of individuals within those societies.