The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine - Book Report/Review Example

The Rights of Man by George Washington 1. The book, Rights of Man is dedicated to George Washington. Thomas Paine believed him to possess exemplary virtues that upheld the freedom of man and wished that the rights of man should be accepted universally. Thomas Paine believed in George Washington to do further struggle to ensure that the rights of man are upheld. 2. The French Revolution had a significant impact on the whole world and it was believed that many other oppressed nations would also revolt against their oppressors following the footsteps of the French Revolution. Thus, though there was a great admiration of the French Revolution especially in relation to the rights of man, there were also some concerns and apprehension that such revolutions would endanger the stability of other states. Among the critics of the revolution, Edmund Burke was the most renowned critic who vehemently and eloquently denounced the revolution and the rights of man in his Reflections on the Revolution in France. Burke’s bitter opposition of the revolution electrified England and Thomas Paine wrote “The Rights of Man” in order to refute the ideas presented by Burke. 3. Though the Glorious Revolution ended monarchy and made the parliament in England supreme, yet the very first promised made by the parliament to William and Marry is an example of vassalage and subjectivity. Instead of declaring themselves free and liberal, the parliament “most humbly and faithfully submit themselves, their heirs and posterities, for ever.” This promise was the most absurd one for Thomas Paine as he believed that a living nation though can submit itself, how a future generation can be made subject to any monarchy without its consent. That is why; Paine very bitterly criticized the absurd promise made by the parliament. 4. The connection between both French and American revolutions is that of principles and the liberty of man. In fact, America won freedom from England only because of the spirit of liberty and the nation didn’t want to follow taxation without their representation in the parliament. This successful revolution of Americans also paved the way for French revolution as France helped America in revolt against England. Success of American independence made French people think if Americans could achieve independence, why not they become independent from the tyranny of the King. Lafayette and Franklin had developed close relations during the war of independence and Lafayette bravely fought for American independence. After the war was over, Lafayette returned to France and also fought for the French revolution. 5. i). Burke bitterly opposed the French revolution and Paine was just astonished by the remarks of him as he believed Burke would appreciate the spirit of liberty of the French men. As Burke had fought for the American independence, Paine believed him also side with the French revolution, but when Burke’s pamphlet appeared denouncing the revolution, Paine could not help but to retaliate with equal force and criticized severely Burke’s ideology about rights of man. ii). Mr. Burke fails to analyze, says Paine, the lives wretched poor Frenchmen confined in prisons and dying without any hope. 6. According to Thomas Paine, the natural rights of man are based unity of man, i.e. all men are deriving their existence from God and God made all men equal. That is why all men have the same right and are equal before the divine. 7. At pages 66 and 67 Paine argues that all men are born with equal rights because they were created by the same Creator and their origin is the same. Thus, if the origin of every man is the same biologically, they should have the same rights. From this argument we learn that Paine stresses more on the unity of man as the traces of antiquity go as far as their initial creation is concerned. This argument is based both on biological origin of man as well as religious Explanation of the creation. Thus, the connection between unity and equality ideas is that of religious faith which tells us that man was created by God and there is no difference between them with regard to their status and rights. If we accept this interpretation of equal rights of man, the unity of man seems the more basic idea of equal rights of man as basically we belong to the same creator who did not make any distinction between any one. 8. Natural rights of man are those which he inherits from his Creator like intellect and the power of mind to judge and act while the civil rights are those which the society confers upon him due to his being a member of the society. The natural rights are perfect in nature as man is free to exercise all these rights while civil rights are defective as these rights vary from society to society and limit their exercise from time to time. 9. According to Paine, natural rights are the foundation of all his civil rights. Every man is born with certain natural rights like his right of comfort and happiness and the right to practice religion. These rights are natural because these are related to man’s origin and nature and are inherited from his creator. 10. Paine classifies natural right into two categories: “retained” and “not retained” natural rights. Retained rights are those in which a man has full authority to execute them. For instance, the right of intellect and the power of mind. On the other hand, the not retained rights are those which, though a man possesses, he has not full power to exercise and depend on the consent of the society to grant the power to enjoy these rights, for instance, the right to fulfill the basic needs like shelter, transportation, accommodation, health etc. 11. Paine draws the conclusion of the source and extent of civil rights saying that the civil rights are grown out of the natural rights. Further, the civil rights are the aggregate of the natural rights and thirdly, the aggregate of the natural rights cannot be used to invade the retained rights of the individual. 12. According to Paine, there are three sources of government: Superstition, power, and the common interest of society. He further explains the superstition as the priest craft whose sayings become law as people because of people’s superstitious nature. The second source of the government, the power is related to the conqueror who rules them by the right of his power. The third source is that of the society which is a body of elected or selected people and it makes laws by the right conferred to it by the people. 13. Paine refutes the idea that a contract is made between the government and the governed. According to him, the contract is made between the people themselves to form a government. 14. Here Paine talks about the principles that harmonize with the forms and says that forms grow out of principles, and operate to continue the principles they grow from. According to Paine, it is impossible to practice a bad form on anything but a bad principle. 15. Here Paine discuses the relationship between church and the state. Previously, church enjoyed tithe which the French constitution abolished as a perpetual discontent. According to Paine, the relationship between these two should be based on the principles of equity, i.e., if the estate is improved, the expenses should be borne equally by both the parties. 16. In his speech on November 1792, Paine insisted for the trial of Louis XVI mainly on the ground of conspiracy against the system. Though, according to Paine, Louis has some personal traits rendering him as a bad person, these were just unnoticeable for the republic. But his crime as a part of the band of conspirators was such which required his trial so the world should know the disastrous system of monarchy. 17. The independence of America has a very significant impact on the political theory due to its stand on the principle of universal reformation. It is from the American Independence that the world learned the value of freedom, the rights of man and the fundamental principles on which a state system has to be built. 18. According to Paine, it is an absurd idea that posterity should be ruled by one who has no right to rule over the future generation. It is the fundamental right of every generation to choose their rulers. But in hereditary system, the sovereign power automatically shifts to their decedents and the people are enslaved against their free will and dignity. That is why; Paine wanted a system in which every generation should be able to choose their own people to govern their affairs. 19. Republic means a form of government elected by the people which look after the affairs of the people. It is usually headed by the president as compared with the monarchy which is ruled by a monarch or a dictator. As a republic form of government looks after the affairs of the people, it is necessary that an elected body among the people should be vested with the powers to regulate and govern their interests. 20. The logical order of the constitution, government, people, and nation is: people, government, constitution, and nation. Government exists because of the people. People choose their form of government and give it the right to make a constitution. One there is a form of government under a specific constitution; this would be called a sovereign nation. 21. There are three branches of a government; legislative, executive, and the judiciary. Paine gives more importance to the legislative and the executive while downplays the rule played by the judiciary. According to him, there are only two divisions of which a government is composed; the legislative that enacts the laws and the executive that administrates them. 22. Paine is very critical while describing the government of precedent and says it is the vilest form of government which should be shunned positively. According to him this form of government keeps its subjects ignorant and degenerate the wisdom. On the other hand, the government based on principles promotes wisdom and knowledge as it follows the policies of the welfare of its subjects. 23. The word republic is originated from the Latin word RESPUBLICA which literally means the public thing. It is a form of government in which people elect their head of the government, usually a president, instead of a monarch. 24. Although, Athens was the first place where democratic form of government was first experienced, this was a direct democracy as compared with the modern day representative democracy. In the direct democracy all the citizens of Athens participated in decision making process while it is almost impossible for the modern times. That is why in modern times, this is achieved through electing representatives who sit in assemblies and represent the whole nation. This characteristic of democracy the Greeks lacked in their early democracy. 25. Paine favors unicameral legislature system as, according to him, most of the time the bicameral legislature fails to promptly make any decision. Further, he argues that there is only one objection against the unicameral legislature, that is, it is prone to hasty decision. But this objection has no value as there are certain principles and regulations which effectually check committing it too soon. Thus, we can say that Paine is in favor of unicameral legislature. 26. The main reason why monarchies last so long is due to the fact that the master-fraud obliges and shelters the spoils of the society and in this way makes them friendly with him. That is why; the people around him never hinder the monarch as they are being benefited personally. However, this practice lasts only till the spoils are obliged by the monarch and enjoy certain privileges. As long as this practice ceases, the courtier-ship also ceases to be and the monarchy collapses. 27. Paine believes in the dignity and amicability of human nature. Paine gives an example o France and England who once had been bitter enemies of each other just a few years back but now their people sympathies with each other. This miracle can be attributed to the friendly nature of man. Man is a natural friend of his species. It is only the corrupt governments that develop hatred to foster their interests. 28. Both the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Virginia Declaration of Rights have similarities in their declaration as the very first article assures that all men are by nature equal and born free and that the all powers rest in people who have the right to choose their government. However, there are some differences as well in both the declarations. The American one was written aiming at showing the problems of their government whereas the American Bill of Rights was written for changing the government to avoid the mistakes that were made by England. The French declaration is generalized one while American declaration focuses on a single instance. Though the essence of both the declarations is the same, I would prefer the Virginia Declaration of Rights due to its more concise manner of specifying the articles related to the rights of man. The Virginia Declaration of Rights separates the executive and legislative powers. Further, it ensures the free elections and prohibits promulgation of any law without the consent of the representatives of the people. 29. Bill of Rights assures the people safeguard of their fundamental rights. If it is incorporated in the constitution, it becomes difficult to alter or amend without the consent and approval of the majority. That is why, every country needs a bill of rights to guarantee the rights of men of their respective states. At present, Australia is the only English speaking country that has no constitutional bill of rights. Read More