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Difficulty: MediumFederalist No. 10 vs. Brutus No. 1

During the ratification debates, Federalists and Anti-Federalists disagreed on how the social and economic diversity of a population affects the success of a representative government. Which of the following statements best contrasts the arguments of Federalist No. 10 and Brutus No. 1 regarding citizen diversity?

  1. A
    Federalist No. 10 argues that a homogeneous population is necessary to foster civic virtue, whereas Brutus No. 1 asserts that a large territory naturally produces a strong national identity that unites diverse groups.
  2. B
    Federalist No. 10 advocates for a participatory model of democracy where all citizens vote directly on laws to resolve differences, whereas Brutus No. 1 supports an elite model of democracy where a small group of wealthy representatives make decisions.
  3. Federalist No. 10 argues that a large, diverse population prevents any single faction from dominating the government, whereas Brutus No. 1 contends that a republic must consist of citizens with similar interests to prevent constant gridlock and division.Answer
  4. D
    Federalist No. 10 asserts that the national government should have supreme power to regulate local commerce to unite the states, whereas Brutus No. 1 argues that state governments must retain the exclusive power to tax to preserve their autonomy.

Answer

Federalist No. 10 argues that a large, diverse population prevents any single faction from dominating the government, whereas Brutus No. 1 contends that a republic must consist of citizens with similar interests to prevent constant gridlock and division.
The correct answer accurately contrasts the two viewpoints. In Federalist No. 10, James Madison argues that a large republic with a high diversity of interests (factions) makes it difficult for a majority faction to unite and oppress the minority. Conversely, in Brutus No. 1, the author argues that a successful republic must have a relatively homogeneous population with similar interests, as a large and diverse population would lead to constant clashing of opinions and interests, rendering the government unable to govern effectively.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the Federalist No. 10 perspective on population size and diversity.
Federalist No. 10 asserts that a large republic with many diverse interests makes it difficult for any single majority faction to coordinate and oppress minority interests.
This is a key component of James Madison's argument on controlling the effects of factions.
2
Analyze the Brutus No. 1 perspective on population size and diversity.
Brutus No. 1 asserts that a stable republic must have a relatively homogeneous population with similar interests, warning that diversity in a large republic will lead to gridlock and separate factions clash.
This is a key component of the Anti-Federalist objection to a large national republic.
3
Compare the analyzed perspectives to identify the statement that correctly contrasts them.
The statement contrasting Federalist No. 10's support for large-scale diversity to control factions with Brutus No. 1's preference for homogeneity to ensure functionality is the correct choice.
This directly matches the core differences between the two foundational documents regarding the social makeup of the union.

Key Concept

Comparison of Federalist No. 10 and Brutus No. 1 on the impact of population size and diversity on republican governance.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Federalist No. 10 vs. Brutus No. 1

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