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Thomas Paine Government Vs Society

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He writes, “society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the In Thomas Paine’s book, Common Sense, Paine is trying to argue for American independence from the British Empire. He starts with general reflections of the British parliament then turns to the specific situation the colonies have found themselves in. The first page of this Common Sense is attempting to open the colonists eyes to the suffering and pain the British parliament is causing, and trying to anger them into wanting their independence. Paine makes a point about distinguishing between government and society. former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections the latter negatively be retraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher.” (Common Sense p. 65). He continues on about how government is a necessary evil and society is a blessing, saying that “Government, like a dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built on the ruins of the bowers of …show more content…

If they rebel (and win), they will create a type of government the world has not seen before. It is a huge undertaking for the colonies to rise up and fight against the mother colony, but if they do the rewards will be great. “The cause of America is the cause of mankind”, Paine said that because he interprets the American Revolution as something the rest of the world should aim for. America’s mission for freedom and equality, should be what all of mankind is aiming for. He was right in saying this because nobody wants to live under a king or a monarchy like the British back in the 1700s. There should be no slaves or servants, and everyone should be free and equal to do as they please. There are still people fighting for their rights and freedoms today, even though Thomas Paine wrote this book 239 years

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