Which Federalist paper argues that a large republic can control factions by distributing power among many competing interests?

• A. The large republic argument
• B. The Citizen Militia
• C. Federalist 10
• D. Cut and Choose

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is how a large republic can check factional power by distributing influence across many competing interests. In Federalist No. 10, James Madison argues that factions—groups driven by a shared interest—are inevitable in liberty, and in a small or direct-democracy setting a dominant faction can tyrannize others. A large republic broadens the field of interests and regions, making it improbable for any single faction to unite enough power to control the government. Because governance requires coalitions among diverse groups, no one faction can easily prevail. Representation compounds this effect: elected representatives refine and enlarge public opinion, mediating conflicts and moderating passions. The result is a more stable political order where competing interests constrain one another rather than one faction monopolizing control. The other options don’t point to this specific argument from Federalist No. 10.