4 Commitment - sample conclusions from your peers on Venice

Dear 4 Commitment
What do you think of the following conclusions?

1. 'Social challenges rather than maritme competition was responsible for the decline of Venice.' How far do you agree with this statement?
If the Venetians did not spent their days enjoying themselves and lost their fortunes through gambling. Instead, they work hard and continue to strive for better development for Venice. Even if the trade route did not work, the economy of Venice will not be affected that badly, as there is other event that contributes to Venice's economy. However, when the Venetians lost the mind set to work hard, Venice falls as there are no Venetians to work for the country. As such, there was little initiative in finding solutions to challenge the EIC and VOC.
By Lenice

2. 'Foreign threats rather than political challenges was responsible for the decline of Venice.' How far do you agree with this statement?
Political threats are the major cause as the government is the foundation of a country's success or failure. When a government of a country is corrupted, it is the same as a building having a weak foundation, which will collapse when any disaster strikes. Likewise the fall of Venice is due to a corrupted government, which then is not able to handle internal or external threats, such as foreign threats, which in the end cause Venice to fall.      
By Faz

Thank you.