Unlike traditional Western societies of the time, many pirate clans operated as limited democracies. Crew members elected a captain and other officers and had to follow rules and regulations that govern their ships including a code of punishment for misbehaving.

The captain of a pirate ship was often a fierce fighter in whom the men could place their trust, rather than a more traditional authority figure sanctioned by an elite. However, when not in battlestations, the ship's quartermaster usually had the real authority.

Many groups of pirates shared in whatever booty they seized, according to a complicated scheme where each man received his alloted share of the prize (stolen goods).  Pirates injured in battle might be afforded special compensation. Often all of these terms were agreed upon and written down by the pirate. But these articles could also be used as incriminating proof that they were outlaws.

The codes varied from all the different ships, but they basically stayed the served the same purpose to keep the crew from doing anything wrong. Here are some general codes the crews had to follow:

• Everyone shall obey orders.
• Booty shall be shared as followed: 1 1/2 goes to the captain; 1 goes to ordinary sailors; and 1/4 shares goes to the gunner, boatswain, and master  carpenter. 
• Anyone keeping a secret of attempting to desert will be marooned. He will be left with a flask  of gunpowder, a bottle of water, and a  gun with one bullet.
• The punishment for hitting a man is 40 lashes on the bare back.
• Anyone being lazy or failing to clean his weapons will lose his share of booty.
• Everyone may vote on all important decisions.
• Everyone may have a share of captured drink and fresh food.
• Anyone found stealing from another member of the crew will have his ears and nose spilt open and be set ashore
• Gambling with cards and money is forbidden.
• The penalty for bringing a woman aboard in disguise is death.
• No one may leave the crew until each man has made 1,100 pounds. 
• The compensation of losing a limb is 800 silver dollars.

It would seem, however, that such egalitarian practices within a pirate clan were tenuous, and did little to limit the brutality of the pirate's way of life.