Thomas Paine\'s Common Sense

Thomas Paine -- Common Sense

Thomas Paine wrote "Common Sense" as an argument for American independence from Great Britain.

Paine begins his essay with general reflections concerning government. He begins the second paragraphs with "Society in every state is a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one" (Paine pp). With this statement Paine is appealing to the masses by laying out his general view of government, assuring them that yes, it would be ideal to live without government, yet in reality impossible, however, it is not necessary to tolerate one in which treats its citizens unfairly. Paine continues, "for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer" (Paine pp). In this first section, Paine is basically building his case for advocating rebellion later on in the essay.

In the second section, Paine elaborates on the distinctions between kings and subjects, saying that distinctions of nature are understandable, "but how a race of men came into the world so exalted above the rest, and distinguished like some new species, is worth enquiring into, and whether they are the means of happiness or of misery to mankind" (Paine pp). Paine goes on to describe how according to the scripture chronology, "In the early ages of the world, there were no kings, the consequence of which was there were no wars, it is the pride of kings which throw mankind into confusion" (Paine pp). He then paints a scenario in which people who have been placed on an island without contact to the rest of society, would in time create bonds with each other and eventually develop a system of authority and law based on the groups needs. He believe that people are more content and happier as a whole if they themselves are responsible for implementing the laws that govern them. He uses examples such as, "Holland without a king hath enjoyed more peace for this last century than any of the monarchical governments in Europe" (Paine pp). Here he is arguing that such a system would also be better for the colonists as well, thus, prepping the reader for independence.

In the third section, Paine attacks the British system and the power of the monarchy. He declares that British is not really a true protector of the colonists, "her motive was interest not attachment; that she did not protect us from our enemies on our account, but from her enemies on her own account, from those who had no quarrel with us on any other account" (Paine pp). Here he is declaring that Britain's protection comes at a price and that the real motive behind any protection Britain might give is for Britain's own best interests, not the colonists. Paine goes on to detail the relationship between the colonists and Britain, pointing out that Britain cannot be trusted, "To say, they will never attempt it again is idle and visionary, we thought so at the repeal of the stamp-act, yet a year or two undeceived us" (Paine pp). Britain is attacking the colonies by unfair taxes, thus not protecting them or serving their best interest, therefore, does not deserve the loyalty of the colonists.

In the last section of the essay, Paine urges the colonists to rebel for independence and envision a government of their making. "Why is it that we hesitate? From Britain we can expect nothing but ruin. If she is admitted to the government of America again, this continent will not be worth living in" (Paine pp). Here he is basically declaring that there is really no reason to remain quiet and that the time to act is now. "Under our present denomination of British subjects, we can neither be received nor heard abroad," thus, once detached from Britain, the colonies will be able to conduct their own commerce with Europe (Paine pp).