The Federalist Papers

Federalist 10

Why is a smaller republic less likely to find enough good representatives?

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From the text:

The smaller the society, the fewer probably will be the distinct parties and interests composing it; the fewer the distinct parties and interests, the more frequently will a majority be found of the same party; and the smaller the number of individuals composing a majority, and the smaller the compass within which they are placed, the more easily will they concert and execute their plans of oppression.

In essence, this means that if there are a greater variety of parties and interests, like those found in a larger society, there is less probability that the majority will have a "common" motive..... a motive detrimental to other citizens.