Caucus to Canals

Background: The quadrennial ritual of the Iowa caucuses is upon us, a spectacle where passionate citizens gather in living rooms and church basements, to huddle over candidates like Midwesterners huddled against the winter chill. The Iowa results are often seen as a thermometer for the political climate, setting the tone for the election season. Yet, for all their importance, the Caucuses often feel like a political anachronism, a relic of a bygone era.

Deja Vu: Maybe you think a caucus is quirky, but it’s not bizarre. Bizarre would be ancient Venice. When electing their Doge, or leader, they used a convoluted system involving multiple rounds of lotteries, votes, and even anonymous nominations submitted in wax-sealed envelopes. This labyrinthine process makes the Iowa caucus look as simple as a game of rock-paper-scissors by comparison. Both systems, albeit centuries apart, highlight a common desire to democratize the selection process and prevent undue influence, albeit in very different fashions.

Number (or, in this case, plenty of numbers): How was the Doge elected?30 members of the Great Council, chosen by lot, were reduced by lot to 9; the 9 chose 40 and the 40 were reduced by lot to 12, who chose 25. The 25 were reduced by lot to 9, and the 9 elected 45. The 45 were reduced by lot to 11, and the 11 chose the 41

Word: Bucentaur (Bucintoro): The Doge’s ceremonial barge, used for special occasions such as the Festa della Sensa, symbolizing Venice’s dominion over the sea.

Quote: “Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods.” - H.L. Mencken.

What’s an election issue without a little dose of cynicism?

Fact: Somewhere between the Doge and the Caucus is The Anti-Masonic Party, which held its national nominating convention in 1831 in Baltimore, becoming the first political party in the U.S. to do so. This convention was a significant innovation in American political history, setting a precedent for the national party conventions we see today.

List: Let’s Vote

1. Ostracism: In Ancient Athens, citizens could vote to ostracize (exile) a public figure. Each citizen would scratch the name of the person they wanted to ostracize on a piece of pottery called an 'ostracon.' If enough votes were cast for one individual, they would be exiled for ten years.

2. Landsgermeinde, or Open-Air Voting: In the Swiss canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, voting is still done by a show of hands in an open-air gathering.

3. Compulsory Voting: In Australia, and some other countries, voting is mandatory for all citizens over the age of 18. Failure to vote can result in a fine.

Recommended Reading: The Likeness of Venice: A Life of Doge Francesco Foscari by Adrienne Mayor. Romano analyzes how art and power intersected in Renaissance Italy and how the doge came to represent and even embody the state. With this biography, Romano clears away longstanding myths, fills in previously unknown details about Foscari’s triumphs and ordeals, and allows to emerge the first intimate portrait of this singular doge.

Final Word: As we ponder the peculiarities of the Iowa caucus, it's comforting to know that democracy has always had its quirks. Whether it's Venetians casting secret ballots or Iowans gathering in school gyms, the essence of these traditions is a testament to humanity's enduring quest for a fair say in governance.

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