Security News > 2023 > December > Security Analysis of a Thirteenth-Century Venetian Election Protocol
Schneier has used the phrase "Security theatre" to describe public actions which do not increase security, but which are designed to make the public think that the organization carrying out the actions is taking security seriously.
Security theatre has positive aspects too, provided that it is not used as a substitute for actions that would actually improve security.
In the context of the election of the Doge, the complexity of the protocol had the effect that all the oligarchs took part in a long, involved ritual in which they demonstrated individually and collectively to each other that they took seriously their responsibility to try to elect a Doge who would act for the good of Venice, and also that they would submit to the rule of the Doge after he was elected.
The security theatre continued for several days of elaborate processions and parties.
There is also some evidence of security theatre outside the election period.
For the record, I have written about the positive aspects of security theater.