What makes a federal republic strong?

Translation: quotations from Montesquieu are quoted in the anonymous 1777 English translation of the London Complete Works; quoted in Thomas Nugent's 1750 English translation, not his original words.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (undated; quoted in the anonymous 1777 English translation of the London Complete Works): Montesquieu believed that good laws which raise the reputation and power of a small republic become inconvenient when its grandeur is established, because they were natural to make a great people but not to govern them. "It must be acknowledged that the Roman laws were too weak to govern the republic: but experience has proved it to be an invariable fact, that good laws, which raise the reputation and power of a small republic, become incommodious to it, when once its grandeur is established, because it was their natural effect to make a great people, but not to govern them." [1]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Thomas Nugent's 1750 English translation): Montesquieu believed that a federal republic is strong because it combines the internal advantages of a republic with the external force of a monarchy. He argued that this form of government, which is an assemblage of societies into a larger one, allows for increased power and the ability to provide for the security of the whole body. (key quote above) [2]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Thomas Nugent's 1750 English translation): Montesquieu believed that a federal republic becomes strong by uniting its members under a political confederacy, ensuring that no single member can act imprudently or ambitiously to the detriment of the whole. He also emphasized the importance of laws that require consensus among members, as seen in the example of Holland, and the need for proportional representation and contributions based on power or size. [3]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Thomas Nugent's 1750 English translation): Montesquieu believed that a republic is naturally suited to a small territory, as an extensive republic leads to corruption and the public good being sacrificed to private interests. He argued that in a small republic, the public interest is more obvious and better understood by citizens, which helps preserve the republic. (key quote above) [4]

What cuts against it

• The contrary-evidence entries are already in the record ledger above: [1].

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Montesquieu argued that a federal republic is strong because it combines the internal advantages of a republic with the external force of a monarchy.

2. This form of government, which is an assemblage of societies into a larger one, allows for increased power and the ability to provide for the security of the whole body.

3. He emphasized that a federal republic becomes strong by uniting its members under a political confederacy, ensuring that no single member can act imprudently or ambitiously to the detriment of the whole.

4. Laws requiring consensus among members, as seen in the example of Holland, and proportional representation based on power or size are essential.

5. A federal republic composed of small republics united in a confederacy allows for internal happiness and the external advantages of large monarchies, preventing the concentration of power and enabling mutual support among the states.

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

Extrapolation: Montesquieu believed that a federal republic is strong because it combines the internal advantages of a republic with the external force of a monarchy. He argued that this form of government, which is an assemblage of societies into a larger one, allows for increased power and the ability to provide for the security of the whole body.

Competing readings: The record supports the view that Montesquieu saw federal republics as strong through unity and checks on power.

Confidence: High, as the relevant passages directly address the question and are well-supported by Montesquieu's writings.