As the Constitutional Convention approached, however, the founders did additional research to refine their understanding of a republican political system. Two nuanced definitions emerged from this thought process which are commonly labeled puritan and agrarian. Both attempted to address the mortality of republics, that is understanding the causes of their eventual decline. The puritan view, popular in the north, was based almost completely on ancient political theory and held that the longevity of a political system needed to be based on morality – create good citizens and you will create a better government. Men should adhere to a public virtue encompassing firmness, endurance, industry, and dedication to the public good like the Greeks.
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