Democracy and Venice

For most of us, elections of one kind or another come around at intervals and we have the opportunity to influence in at least a small way which political party will form the next government. We take elections for granted because they have been part of our lives during all our adulthood.
Yet how many are aware of the extraordinary democracy of Venice? It is true that it was not universal suffrage. Not every
Venetian was granted the right to vote, but it was wide suffrage, even so.
The remarkable element of Venice's democracy was the length of its existence. The first doge (Duke and head of
Venice) was elected in 697. He became head of a number of chambers of government in the process of being the city's elected leader. That system of government lasted until 1797, exactly 1100 years, ending only when the French conquered the city state and ended Venice's independent life.
It was a truly remarkable record. Among so much more, Venice showed the world one of the most effective and enduring forms of government it has ever seen.
Today, you can see the meeting chambers where much of Venice's government took place in the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) which lines one side of St Mark's
Square. It is a truly magnificent edifice, beautifully balanced outside, sumptuous inside. But if you visit it, be sure to read about the purposes of the chambers and the system of government.
Venice receives two chapters in my book, "Unpacking Italy: passions of a traveller."
Enjoy the read!

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