Question

I WILL MEDAL!! Help me analyze this source. I have no idea what its saying...
James Madison, Federalist No. 10, November 22, 1787

read it in the comments!!!!

Answer 1

"...the greater number of citizens and extent of territory which may be brought within the compass of republican than of democratic government; and it is this circumstance principally which renders factious combinations less to be dreaded in the former than in the latter. The smaller the society, the fewer probably will be the distinct parties and interests composing it; the fewer the distinct parties and interests, the more frequently will a majority be found of the same party; and the smaller the number of individuals composing a majority, and the smaller the compass within which they are placed, the more easily will they concert and execute their plans of oppression. Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens; or if such a common motive exists, it will be more difficult for all who feel it to discover their own strength, and to act in unison with each other."

Answer 2

so you have to explain it right?

Answer 3

@Lowkey.S I have to use it as a source in my essay, so I need to know what it is saying in simpler terms.

Answer 4

@koolkid98

Answer 5

are you able to find a simpler vesion of this on line?

Answer 6

@koolkid98 that's what I'm trying to do right now

Answer 7

btw im in 8th grade

Answer 8

@koolkid98 I'm in 10th so I need someone that is good at analyzing texts

Answer 9

well im not good at that

Answer 10

srry :(

Answer 11

@koolkid98 that's ok

Answer 12

i fanned you

Answer 13

thx

Answer 14

same @koolkid98

Answer 15

the greater number of citizens =more people

and extent of territory = more land

which may be brought within the compass of republican than of democratic government; = can be governed by a republic than by a simple democracy.

and it is this circumstance principally which renders factious combinations less to be dreaded in the former than in the latter. = in a small nation every little problem is a big thing, in a larger nation, all the local problems don't seem to be that big a deal.

The smaller the society, the fewer probably will be the distinct parties and interests composing it; A small society has few sub groups

the fewer the distinct parties and interests, the more frequently will a majority be found of the same party; = fewer sub-groups means it's more likely one sub-group will dominate.

and the smaller the number of individuals composing a majority, = is easier to get a majority in a small group

and the smaller the compass within which they are placed, =most of the people in the sub-group live close together.

the more easily will they concert and execute their plans of oppression.= It's easier for one group to oppress another.

Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; = A larger group of people spread over a larger area

you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens; =makes it harder for one group to deny the rights of others.

or if such a common motive exists, it will be more difficult for all who feel it to discover their own strength, and to act in unison with each other."= if some peoples rights get trammpled, they can can get together and demand their rights.


The Federalist papers are essays trying to convince the people and states to ratify the Constitution. In this essay, he's arguing that individual rights will be better protected by one large republic of states joined together than in 13 or more smaller democracies.

Answer 16

Thank you @wwhitlock

Answer 17

Glad to help. I medal gratitude