After 1776, the founders designed a government that accounts for ‘a degree of depravity in mankind’

After the colonists declared their independence, designing a government was next. Three of the founding generation said the new government needed to account for the flaws in human nature.

By: Donovan Fifield, University of South Carolina, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: July 16, 2026

Words: 1,387

Last Updated: 4 days, 23 hours ago

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By Donovan Fifield, University of South Carolina

The parades, reenactments and fireworks are over. And in the aftermath of Americans’ celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it is important to recognize that the declaration was only the first step in making a unified country.

Many of the founders argued that the country needed a remodeled government. They asked whether it was possible to design a government for the new …

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