Pirates and Democracy: A Surprising History of Equality on the High Seas

Piracy, a practice often associated with lawlessness and villainy, paradoxically contributed to the early concepts of democracy, especially during the Golden Age of Piracy in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. This era, infamous for its high-seas adventures and legendary figures like Blackbeard and Calico Jack, also witnessed the emergence of surprisingly democratic practices among pirate crews.

The standard merchant ships of the era were essentially dictatorships with captains firmly in charge. Not so the pirates. They were one of the first groups in the Western world to create a democratic society. They may have been brutal individuals who stole and killed, but they ran the ships in a sort of democratic manner.

On the pirate ships, the captain had significantly less power. The whole crew would agree on where to go, what to steal, who to fight. They elected their captain democratically, and they were meritocracies. The elected role of a quartermaster was responsible for acting as a check to ensure the captain didn’t overstep their authority. The only exception when the captain’s word was not questioned was during a battle.

The ships even had constitutions or “articles” that outlined the rules, rights, and responsibilities of the captain and the crew. Because of the empowerment pirates experienced, it wasn’t uncommon for sailors in captured merchant ships to switch sides and join with pirates. The pirate crews were also incredibly diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, or religion. Everyone was welcomed more or less as equal and rewarded based on their merit.

Where Pirates Came From And What They Stole

The majority of pirates were recruited from merchant ships seamen, who agreed to join the pirates when their ships were captured.

Pirates were mostly young men in their twenties. The same applies to merchant sailors. Since typical pirates were often former merchants, they were rather unremarkable in stature. Even captains were common folks and not some aristocrats. Though there were exceptions.

What is unclear is the status of the men coming from minorities. Some suggest that due to the democratic nature of life on pirate ships, they had the same rights. Some suggest that there were prejudices the same as everywhere else at that time.

Most attacks in the Caribbean took place out of sight of land and could take hours or even days. Once the prey was captured, the cargo had to be transferred to the pirate ship unless the pirates decided to take the vessel. All this would take time. It is also worth noting that the majority of the loot wasn’t gold or silver, but pirates took anything they could use to run their ships. Things like food, drinks, ropes, sails, candles, and anything that was difficult to get if you couldn’t get provisions in official ports.

The Articles: An Early Form Of Social Contract

The cornerstone of pirate democracy was the Articles or the Pirate Code, a set of rules agreed upon by the crew of a pirate ship. These codes, varying from ship to ship, were remarkably ahead of their time in terms of democratic governance. For instance, the code of the pirate Bartholomew Roberts, known as Black Bart, stipulated equal voting rights for all crew members in decisions ranging from pursuing a target to electing their captain. This system stood in stark contrast to the autocratic rule aboard naval and merchant vessels of the time.

David Cordingly provides a well-researched account of the life of the pirates in the Caribbean. The pirate ships were run on the basis of liberty, equality, and brotherhood. A set of written articles was written at the beginning of the voyage that every crew member had to sign. The crew decided where to sail and whether to attack a particular village. The articles regulated how the plunder would be distributed, compensation for injuries, basic rules of the life on board of the ship, and punishments for those who broke the rules.

Fair Division Of Spoils: Economic Equality On Board

Regarding food, the captain’s allowance was often the same as for the crew. The plunder was divided equally, with the first mate often getting no more than double what the rest of the crew got. This practice fostered a sense of shared purpose and loyalty among the crew. The salaries of the key members of the crew (carpenter, cook, surgeon) were also agreed on. The captain’s share was also determined by the crew in the articles. It was often only double what the other crewmembers got. No man would receive more than their fair share. Anyone who would steal or conceal some plunder just for themselves would be punished.

Checks And Balances: The Pirate Captain’s Limited Power

Contrary to popular belief, the power of a pirate captain was far from absolute. Captains were elected by their crew and could be deposed if they were deemed unfit or tyrannical. This system of checks and balances ensured that the captain’s authority was derived from the consent of the governed, a principle that echoes the democratic ideals of later political philosophies.

An elected quartermaster acted as a civil magistrate and was the crew’s representative who would hold the captain accountable. He was also able to punish crew members who didn’t follow the code and usually distributed the plunder.

Even though pirate ships were often democracies, once the battle started, the captain had complete authority whose commands were followed without questions.

The Role Of Pirate Utopias

Places like Nassau in the Bahamas served as pirate utopias where these democratic practices were extended to entire communities. Nassau became a haven for pirates in the early 18th century, operating with a level of self-governance that was highly unusual for the time. These pirate settlements were multicultural and, to some extent, egalitarian societies where decisions were made collectively.

Pirates As Early Social Revolutionaries

Some historians view pirates as early social revolutionaries. Pirate ships were often melting pots of different races and nationalities, with a significant number of freed African slaves and indentured servants. The relatively egalitarian and democratic nature of pirate ships offered a stark contrast to the rigid hierarchies and racial divisions of the day, making them, in a way, progressive entities.

The Influence On Later Democratic Movements

While it would be an overstatement to claim that pirates directly influenced the development of modern democracy, the democratic practices observed among pirates were indicative of a broader shift in attitudes toward authority and governance. These practices emerged during a period of significant political change, preceding and perhaps subtly influencing the democratic movements of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Putting It All Together

The democratic practices of pirates present a complex and often overlooked aspect of piracy. While their actions were undeniably criminal, their organizational structures and social norms provide a fascinating glimpse into the early development of democratic ideals. This aspect of pirate history challenges the traditional narrative of pirates as mere outlaws and underscores the nuanced and multifaceted nature of historical analysis.

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Originally posted on my blog about management, leadership, communication, coaching, introversion, software development, and career The Geeky Leader or follow me on Facebook and Twitter: @GeekyLeader