Hierarchy

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Hierocracy (from Greek  ἱερός hieros ' sacred 'and κρατεῖν, kratein prevail', 'domination' - cf. -Kratie ) is a form of government in which the state power of a priesthood ( clergy ) or similar sacred institution is exercised, resulting in is usually religiously legitimized. The hierarchy is therefore mostly a form of theocracy . In contrast to the theocracy in the narrower sense, in the hierarchy neither the divinity nor the divine calling of the ruler is propagated, but the claim to rule is derived from the holiness and wisdom of the priesthood.

Max Weber defined hierarchy as follows: “A hierarchical association should be called a ruling association if and to the extent that psychological compulsion is used to guarantee its order through the donation or refusal of salvific goods (hierocratic compulsion). The church should be called a hierocratic institution if and to the extent that its administrative staff make use of the monopoly of legitimate hierocratic coercion. "

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