The modern form of a republic involves the separation of powers, but that was an idea of Montesquieu during the Enlightenment. Republics existed in many forms before such constitutional notions of republican government arose. Venice, Amalfi, Genoa, and Pisa, for example, were all famous and, at one point or another, powerful Mediterranean states. They were all oligarchies, like most Italian states before the French started messing around, but they were also "republics." What made them a republic? ... Well, uhm, they called themselves one, firstly. Secondly, like Florence, they held elections. The Serene Doge of Venice was rather absolute, but fundamentally he was elected. The Medici were technically elected Lords of Florence, but moreso than anything, even more than the Venetian republic, Florence looked more like a monarchy.
Now, their elections of course looked nothing like ours. They were held rather secretively, and the electorate consisted of important land owners - nobles and guilds, mostly, as well as political appointees, and such positions were generally hereditary in practice if not by law. The rulers of these Italian city-states, however, were not constitutionally endorsed with absolute powers. They wielded almost absolute power via politicking and the occasional use of force. These oligarchical quasi-monarchic republics held none of the republic aspects we generally require before classifying something as a republic. They certainly were not democracies.
If we go further back, to Athens, we encounter something much more similar - the Boule, which was manned by citizens essentially conscripted by lot. It's p interesting, and an example of a democratic republic pre-enlightenment. In his proposition for reform of an Athens he felt to be weakened by this democracy, Plato proposed his "Republic" led by philosopher kings. In this dialogue, Plato defines a republic, essentially, as a form of government foremost responsible for delivering a just society.
26-Jun-2017 10:28:50
