Did James Madison consider the large size of the American republic to be an advantage? Why or why not?
A) No, because its size would prevent the people from having a direct voice in the decision-making process.
B) No, because so many diverse factions would emerge that civil war would be inevitable.
C) Yes, because there would be so many competing interest groups that no one group would be able to control the government.
D) Yes, because its size would make it practically impossible for the government to subjugate the people by armed force.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

James Madison believed that a large republic with diverse interest groups would prevent any one faction from gaining too much power and dominating the government. In Federalist No. 10, he argued that a large republic would make it difficult for factions to form and maintain enough support to control the government. Therefore, choice C is correct. Choices A and B are incorrect because Madison did not believe that the size of the republic would prevent people from having a voice or prevent civil war. Choice D is partially correct, but it does not capture Madison's main argument in favor of a large republic. While a large size may have made it more difficult for the government to subjugate the people, Madison believed that the competing interest groups were the main advantage of a large republic.

Did James Madison Consider the Large Size of the American