Which thinker argued that a large republic cannot effectively govern?

The correct answer is rooted in the ideas put forth by Brutus, a pen name for an Anti-Federalist writer who opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Brutus expressed concerns that a large republic would be unable to effectively represent the diverse interests of its citizens and that it would lead to a concentration of power that would ultimately suppress individual liberties.

Brutus believed that as the size of a republic increases, the connection between the representatives and the constituents diminishes. This distance can lead to representatives who are out of touch with the needs and desires of their constituents, making effective governance difficult. It was his view that local governance is preferable because it allows for more responsiveness to the needs of people.

In contrast, thinkers like Montesquieu discussed the separation of powers and the importance of a balanced government, but did not specifically argue against large republics in the same way Brutus did. Hobbes focused on the necessity of a strong central authority to prevent chaos, while Locke emphasized individual rights and limited government but did not specifically address the limitations of governance in larger republics.