How did Viking goverment work?

In each viking community was ruled by a council of freemen and noblemen, I never thought about vikings having a fair government. They made all major decisions that effected  town life. They made laws, held trials, settled fights between rival families and decided when to go to war. this council was called the Althing.
 everyone was subject to the Althing's rules. Even nobles chiefs and lords. That is why I think the Vikings had a fair government. 
          Each longhouse were ruled by a chief and the people who worked for him. Every viking lived in a longhouse. The people there farmed and took care of cattle for the chief. I would not like to live in the same house with all the other people. Also I would not wont to do the chiefs chores for him.