"Among the numerous advantages promised by a well constructed Union, none deserves to be more accurately developed than its tendency to break and control the violence of faction... By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion." — James Madison, Federalist No. 10, 1787
Madison's central claim in this passage is that:
- Acheck_circle
A large extended republic will best dilute and check the dangers of factions
- B
Direct democracy is the only legitimate form of self-government
- C
Only property-holding citizens should be permitted to vote
- D
Political parties should be banned by constitutional amendment
Explanation
Federalist 10 argues that an "extended republic" multiplies interests so no single faction can easily dominate, controlling rather than eliminating faction. Madison did not advocate direct democracy, a ban on parties, or a property qualification in this essay.