A republic, a representative government, promises to secure the public good and private rights against the danger of faction. In a republic, a few delegates are elected by the rest of the citizens. It can have a greater population spread over a larger area. An extensive republic is safer than a small one because fraud and conspiracy is far more difficult over a large area. A strong, well-constructed Union tends to control the violence of faction, the mortal enemy of popular governments.
Opponents argue that faction is an inevitable and disastrous component of any popular government.
No man may judge his own cause, yet this is essentially what legislators do. Their laws effect them. Enlightened statesmen will not always rise above conflicts of interest. Therefore, faction cannot be removed, so its effects must be controlled. In a republic, a few delegates are elected by the rest of the citizens.