Which term defines a government where the power is concentrated in the hands of religious leaders?

A government where power is concentrated in the hands of religious leaders is defined as a theocracy. This form of governance integrates religious authority with political authority, meaning that religious leaders often dictate state policies based on their interpretations of religious law. In a theocracy, the legitimacy of the government is often derived from the belief that its leaders are guided by divine will or authority.

In contrast, other types of government, such as an oligarchy, involve power held by a small group of individuals, usually influenced by wealth or social status, rather than religious ideology. A republic emphasizes representative democracy where officials are elected to represent the populace, and the decision-making is based on secular, rather than religious, principles. A monarchy typically involves a single ruler, such as a king or queen, who may inherit the throne, and while some monarchs may have religious endorsements, the core characteristic of a monarchy does not consist of being strictly governed by religious leaders.