What Was The Difference Between Democracy And A Small Republic
This distinction the Madison makes between a democracy and a republic is that he sees democracy as a dangerous thing, but he sees a republic as a way to prevent danger from occurring. Madison describes a democracy as "a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person." Madison continues to say that these societies "have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention." When Madison talks about democracy, he meant a more direct democracy where the people have more of a say in the government. Madison, however, thought that was not a good idea because he thought that the people weren’t informed enough to make wise decisions. Madison instead wanted a republic where the people elect the legislators
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Madison explains, “In the next place, as each representative will be chosen by a greater number of citizens in the large than in the small republic, it will be more difficult for unworthy candidates to practice with success the vicious arts by which elections are too often carried; and the suffrages of the people being more free, will be more likely to centre in men who possess the most attractive merit and the most diffusive and established characters.” In a large republic, where there are a greater amount of voters and candidates, the probability to elect capable representatives is broader. The voters have more options. In a small republic, it would be easier for the candidates to deceive the voters but would be more difficult in a large republic. The last point that Madison makes is that in a small republic, there will be a lower variety of interests and parties, which will result in the easy find of majority. There will be a small number of participants in that majority, and it would be much easier for them to work together to accomplish their ideas. In a large republic, there will be a greater variety of interests, which will make it much harder to find a majority. If a majority is found, it would still be hard for them for meet with each other and work to complete their goals, because of the massive number of people and the fact that they are spread out over a large amount of
Madison explains, “In the next place, as each representative will be chosen by a greater number of citizens in the large than in the small republic, it will be more difficult for unworthy candidates to practice with success the vicious arts by which elections are too often carried; and the suffrages of the people being more free, will be more likely to centre in men who possess the most attractive merit and the most diffusive and established characters.” In a large republic, where there are a greater amount of voters and candidates, the probability to elect capable representatives is broader. The voters have more options. In a small republic, it would be easier for the candidates to deceive the voters but would be more difficult in a large republic. The last point that Madison makes is that in a small republic, there will be a lower variety of interests and parties, which will result in the easy find of majority. There will be a small number of participants in that majority, and it would be much easier for them to work together to accomplish their ideas. In a large republic, there will be a greater variety of interests, which will make it much harder to find a majority. If a majority is found, it would still be hard for them for meet with each other and work to complete their goals, because of the massive number of people and the fact that they are spread out over a large amount of