The Tibetan "government-in-exile" is a theocratic power, integrating a church and a "state" with the Dalai Lama at the top, a senior Tibetologist said.
While claiming to maintain a division of power, the Tibetan "government-in-exile" has a legislative framework (the Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies), executive body (kashag) and judiciary (the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission), but the Dalai Lama is still at the top with a firm grip on religious and executive power, Bi Hua, a senior researcher with China Tibetology Research Center, said.
The nature of its "integration of church and state" remains unchanged, she said.
"It's just another medieval church of Europe disguised as a present-day Western democracy."
The Dalai Lama is the holy representative of Tibetan religious worship, but both the "government-in-exile" and its constitution consider him the top leader, which shows that under the guise of a division of powers and democratic politics, the "government" in fact features strong religious and feudal factors, she said.
"Its ridiculousness is self-evident. An incarnated Lama who represents holy rule is considered a representative of civil rights and a fighter for democracy," Bi said.
In the "government-in-exile", both the speaker of the assembly and the kalons (ministers) in the kashag are subject to the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is both "holy" and the "ruler" as he has the final say over the resolutions of the kashag and the assembly and the appointment of "government" officials, she said.
The Dalai Lama even has the power to decide whether and when to convene or dissolve assembly meetings, she said.
The Dalai Lama's supreme power over religion and politics is enshrined in the constitution of the "government-in-exile", which is an important characteristic of its long-held tradition that integrates both politics and religion, she said.
The Dalai Lama is a religious figure, but performs his role as a "head of state". His brothers DamCe Tubdainnorb and Dainzin Qoi'gyai are living Buddhas, but also serve officials in the "government", she said.