Nevertheless the Federalist does also assume the existence of something larger and more objective, "the public good" Representation is superior to direct democracy precisely because it can secure the public good without distraction from the various conflicting particular interests, or "factions." A faction is a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the of other citizens, to the permanent and aggregate interest of the community