Question

check your understanding
according to madison, how does
the larger number of voters lead to
a better class of representatives?

source analysis
how does madison continue to
develop the idea he introduced
earlier regarding the “just right”
proportion of representatives to
citizens or constituents?

it must be confessed that in this, as in most other cases, there is a mean,
on both sides of which inconveniences will be found to lie. by enlarging
too much the number of electors, you render the representatives too little
acquainted with all their local circumstances and lesser interests; as by
reducing it too much, you render him unduly attached to these, and too
little fit to comprehend and pursue great and national objects. the federal
constitution forms a happy combination in this respect; the great and
aggregate interests being referred to the national, the local and particular to
the state legislatures.

partially visible text
... place, as each representative will be chosen by a greater
... citizens in the large than in the small republic, it will be more
... unworthy candidates to practice with success the vicious arts
... elections are too often carried; and the suffrages of the people
... are free, will be more likely to centre in men who possess the most
... merit and the most diffusive and established characters.

Explanation:

Check Your Understanding (Answer-Explanation Format)

From Madison's view (likely from Federalist Papers context), a larger voter pool makes it harder for unworthy candidates to use "vicious arts" to win. More voters mean the people’s suffrages (votes) are less likely to be swayed by such tactics, so they’ll more likely center on men with merit/established character—better representatives. The handwritten note also hints at a more thoughtful (not random) selection with more voters.

Madison introduces the "just right" proportion idea by explaining the trade - offs of too many/few electors. Enlarging the electorate too much makes reps out of touch with local issues; reducing it too much makes them overly attached to local interests and unfit for national goals. The Federal Constitution balances this: national reps handle great/aggregate interests, state legislatures handle local/particular ones. This shows the "just right" proportion is about balancing local knowledge and national - level capability in representation.

Answer:

According to Madison, a larger number of voters leads to a better class of representatives because it becomes more difficult for unworthy candidates to successfully practice "vicious arts" to win elections. With more voters, the people’s suffrages (votes) are less likely to be unduly influenced or "carried" by such tactics, and the selection is more likely to center on men who possess the most merit and established characters (since the broader electorate is less easily manipulated, leading to a more discerning choice of representatives).

Source Analysis (Answer-Explanation Format)