Page "Gasparo Contarini" Paragraph 10

His depiction of how members of the council were elected to the senate, for example, aimed to emphasise the way the electoral system prevented factionalism from occurring, instead making sure that “ public benefits are largely extended among the citizens ” rather than narrowly amongst “ one family ”.

An elaborate lottery is described as giving the maximum amount of chance in appointing patricians to particular offices, and care is taken to point out if two of one family are standing for similar posts.

Fairness is further emphasised in Contarini ’ s constant references to the equality the members of the council enjoyed.

They “ sit down where it pleases them, for there is no place appointed to any ”, and they “ with oath promise to do their utmost diligence, that the laws may be observed ”.

He creates an image of disparate individuals, with factions broken up by the guiding hand of the law, working to ensure those in positions of importance are fairly chosen from their number and without the capacity to serve the interests of a smaller group.