Kritarchy

A kritarchy is a system of governance where judges or a council of elders with judicial functions rule. It is a form of government based on the rule of judges, typically religious judges, where neither popular sovereignty nor hereditary succession plays a significant role in determining leadership. The authority in a kritarchy derives from the judges' perceived wisdom, knowledge of law (often religious law), and perceived impartiality.

Unlike a theocracy, where priests or clerics directly govern based on divine authority or revelation, a kritarchy is characterized by the application of legal principles by those trained in, and tasked with, interpreting and applying those principles. The source of the law, however, can often be religious in nature, leading to overlap with theocratic systems.

Historically, the most cited example of a possible kritarchy is the period of the biblical Judges in ancient Israel, as described in the Book of Judges. However, the precise nature and structure of the governance during that era are subject to scholarly debate.