Republicanism still selects for scoundrels. Yes, it pits them against each other and thereby reduces their power -- in theory -- but it still selects for them.

Republicanism still selects for scoundrels. Yes, it pits them against each other and thereby reduces their power -- in theory -- but it still selects for them. It doesn't even claim to be good at keeping them away. It only claims to reduce their power. I don't think it's particularly good at reducing their power either, but these are two orthogonal issues.