Madison's Theory Of Representation

I argue that Madison’s theory of representation, while offering some insightful ideas, ultimately relies on faulty assumptions about human nature, which can be illustrated through modern examples. In this essay, I will discuss Madison’s theory of representation, detailing its components, its assumptions about human nature, and the ways in which representatives may become corrupt. Then, I will use the impeachment of Brazil’s former president, Dilma Rousseaff, to further highlight how, due to the ways in which human society and values have evolved, Madison’s views on the mechanisms by which representatives become corrupt are unrealistic.
Madison’s theory of representation stems from his view of the representative’s role in a government. According

First, Madison argues that in a larger republic, each representative will be chosen by a greater number of citizens than in a small republic; thus, since there are more voters and more candidates, there is a higher probability that a competent, virtuous, and wise leader will be selected. This is because larger republics tend to be more diverse, which means there will be a wide variety of voters, resulting in a more competent, well-rounded representative. In other words, in a larger republic, it is more likely that the best (most virtuous and wise) person will be selected to represent the group. However, in smaller, more homogenous republics, the representatives will be chosen by far fewer people, and these people will likely elect a representative who resembles themselves, due to a lack of diversity in the population. This makes it easier for an incompetent, representative to be elected. Once an incompetent representative is elected, since she may lack virtue and wisdom, and while she may be similar to her constituents, such a representative will most likely act to out of self-interest and use her new-found power for her own benefit, rather than expressing the people’s interests. As a similar argument for a large republic, Madison posits that there must be at least a certain number of representatives, and this number must be great enough to overrule any

Madison’s arguments all support the same conclusion- that a larger republic is more effective at minimizing the chances of a corrupt representative being elected than a small republic.
Madison’s theory of representation, including its flaws, can be illustrated through real-world events, an example of which can be found in the impeachment of the former Brazilian president- Dilma Rousseaff- in 2016. During this time, the country was split, with most of Brazil’s poorest citizens supporting Dilma, and opposing her impeachment because she had raised an astounding number of people out of poverty. On the other hand, wealthy Brazilians who depended on over half the country remaining in poverty, feared the threat to their riches that Dilma presented, and supported her