What does it mean to say, defend their will, if their going on trial or to court? (im trying to see if it will make sense with the paragraph i'm writing for social studies.)

according to classical republican political theory, which democratic republics would function best?

a.   small republics, with people who had similar interests

b.   large republics, with people who had competing interests

c.   republics made up entirely of landowners

d.   republics made up entirely of servants