Question

the federalist papers

1. a republic, by which i mean a government in which the scheme of representation takes place, opens a different prospect from the evils of faction, and promises the cure for which we are seeking. let us examine the points in which it varies from pure democracy, and we shall comprehend both the nature of the cure and the efficacy which it must derive from the union.
2. the two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens, and greater sphere of the country, over which the latter may be extended.
3. the effect of the first difference is, on the one hand, to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations. under such a regulation, it may well happen that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more consonant to the public good than if pronounced by the people themselves, convened for the purpose. on the other hand, the effect may be inverted. men of factious tempers, of local prejudices, or of sinister designs, may, by intrigue, by corruption, or by other means, first obtain the suffrages, and then betray the interests, of the people. the question resulting is, whether small or extensive republics are more favorable to the election of proper guardians of the public weal; and it is clearly decided in favor of the latter by two obvious considerations.
4. in the first place, it is to be remarked that, however large a may be, they must be limited to a certain number, in order to guard against the cabbiness of a multitude. hence it is that

paragraphs 4 and 5 are two separate explanations of what stated main idea from the previous paragraph (paragraph 3)?
a whether small or large republics are better
b the reasons to prefer a republic to a monarchy
c whether it is better to have a republic or democracy
d the similarities between citizens and representatives

Explanation:

Paragraph 3 discusses the effects of representation in a republic and poses the question of whether small or large republics are better. Paragraphs 4 and 5 then go on to further explain this main idea from paragraph 3. Option A directly relates to this central question of the comparison between small and large republics. Options B (republic vs monarchy), C (republic vs democracy), and D (similarities between citizens and representatives) are not the main ideas that paragraphs 4 and 5 are elaborating on from paragraph 3.

Answer:

A. whether small or large republics are better