The Development of State and Law in the Dubrovnik Republic

Predmet rada je državno-pravni razvoj Dubrovnika od osnutka grada, kad je isprva bio pod vrhovnom vlašću Bizanta, zatim Venecije, preko doba dubrovačke nezavisnosti i uspostavljanja Republike u punom smislu riječi, do 1808. kad su je ukinuli Francuzi.. Dubrovnik je bio aristokratska i trgovačka, isprva općina, potom republika. Sva vlast je bila u rukama vlastele. Vlastela je uspijevala održati sklad društvenih slojeva tako što je dopuštala svima da slobodno trguju i bogate se, pod uvjetom da ne dovode njihovu vlast u pitanje. Dubrovački Statut iz 1272. izrađen je pod utjecajem mletačkoga, međutim, njegov je daljnji razvoj bio samostalan. Isto tako, Dubrovčani su prisvojili mnoge ustanove mletačkoga državnog uređenja i prilagodili ih domaćim potrebama. Zakoni koji su doneseni i ustanove koje su nastale, odraz su samostalnosti i potreba dubrovačke države. Dubrovačka je država područjem i brojem stanovnika bila mala, pa je ključ njezina opstanka na povijesnoj sceni bila politika neutralnosti i razvijena diplomatsko-konzularna služba. Unutar države svjetovna i crkvena vlast bile su strogo odijeljene, dok je Republika prema Svetoj Stolici isticala svoju vjernost kao „bedem kršćanstva” na Balkanu i tako uživala njezinu zaštitu.The topic of this thesis is the state legislative development of Dubrovnik, beginning with the city's founding when it was at first under Byzantine domination and then Venetian suzerainty, through the period of the city's independence and establishment of the Republic, till its abolition by French in 1808. At first, Dubrovnik was an aristocratic and trading commune, but gradually it was transformed into the Republic. Government was exclusively in the hands of the patricians, who managed to keep the balance between the social classes by allowing free trade and accumulation of wealth to everyone, provided that it wouldn't challenge their authority. The Statute of Dubrovnik of 1272 was affiliated with the Venetian Statute, but later additions and changes to it developed independently. Correspondingly, the Ragusans adopted many of the institutions from the Venetian state constitution and adjusted them to their own needs. The creation of laws and institutions was obvious reflection of the independency and indication of the needs of the Ragusan state. According to the territory and its population, Dubrovnik was a small state, and the key to its survival at the historical scene was implementing the neutralist policy and expanding the diplomatic and consular service. Albeit inside the state the secular and church government were strictly separated, the Republic claimed its fidelity towards the Holy See and thus enjoyed its protection, having seen itself as a ''Bulwark of Christianity'' on Balkans