Question

Compare the Venetian idea of good government with those in contemporary France.

Answer 1

There lies huge difference between the Venetian and the French governments. The best way to describe the Venetian Government is 'Venice über alles', meaning 'Venice above all’. This statement proves that Venice had a more just and efficient government as compared to any other European governments in contemporary times. On the other hand, the 15th century French government has been referred as ’Feudal barbarism’ by Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Venetian administration was mostly controlled by the Great Council. It comprised some of the prominent members of the city. The state to these patricians was a mere extension of their family and individual interests. These people realised that only the efficient administration of the state could ensure the effective functioning of the trading, which was the primary source of revenue of the land.

People of the lesser ranks such as the merchants, doctors and lawyers also had an important role to play in the state. They served as the ambassadors and diplomats. The lower ranks also had important rights and obligations. Thus, the administration of Venice was a participative practice. The government made all efforts to fulfil the needs of the poor. Provisions were made for the supply of food, conducting great ceremonies and celebrations, and assurance of legal system with justice for all.

The French government stood polls apart from the Venetian style of governance. It was based on the system of Feudalism. Feudalism was a social and economic system that existed in France, England and Italy during the 9th and 15th century. Here, the agricultural production was based on the relation between lords and peasants. The lords owned huge lands, and the peasants had to cultivate their own lands as well as the lords' land. In return for the services rendered by the peasants, the lords provided military protection to them. The lords also extended judicial control over the peasants and the settlement. This practise was highly exploitative. The worst sufferers were the serfs, who were devoid of all rights. The serf had extreme low status in the society. The word of the master was the law. He could not raise a voice against the master. Legal rights also did not exist for either of him.