The book Common Sense by Thomas Paine - Essay Example

The book Common Sense by Thomas Paine The book “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine is a warning to the common men about the evilness of British government and the monarchy. In this book he writes to the public about the way in which intentions of society and government vary significantly according to time. He influences the people of Britain in 18th century, in order to think about their freedom rather that adhering to the unlawful principles of the monarchy and the constitution of Britain. He wanted the common men to use their sense to get freedom from the rule of the royals and the government and attain more liberty for themselves in the society. It would be very sensible to say that men wherever they are have equal rights and freedom on life and no government has the authority to steal these from the common men. He described in his book that man is a social being, and if he wants to live by his instincts needs to follow a simpler rule and not the complex and rigid laws of the government or monarchy .The writing of “common sense” created an enthusiasm in common people in earlier times and provoked them to go against the rule of British government. Thomas Paine’s intention was to bring up a republican constitution which gives more rights to the society and the public. According to Paine, the government had no moral value, while governing a state or society. They don’t offer much justice to people and, the poor tends to remain poor and wealth remained wealthy always. He claims that a rotten government with immoral principles steals the right from the common men to follow righteous values and deeds. He states that male and female are the differences created by nature, then good and bad is distinction given by heaven, but race distinction is made by human just for things to become worse. The Need for a Republican Government The author is completely against the rule of royals, and believed that in the earlier times there were no kings, and, for the very same reason there was peace and tranquility among men. But this is not applicable in all ages, as once people get civilized, question comes about authority and power. The able and the fittest among people urge for superiority and have a want and desire to rule the inferior ones. “Government by kings was first introduced into the world by the Heathens, from whom the children of Israel copied the custom. It was the most prosperous invention the Devil ever set on foot for the promotion of idolatry”(Paine). So Paine intend to point out that once the government got introduced to human history , there was a scene of suppression of right and values of the laymen. Pain was of the opinion that, a government or monarchy should not aim on ruling a country or society, but should focus on giving opportunity and space to personal development and growth and complete happiness and prosperity of public. Actually, he is completely right on this part, as government should be by the people, for the people and of the people. A full full-fledged republican out look, where in all the common men get what they want in right proportion is the right thing to be done for the welfare of the common men. Paine writes that human being was born with an equal status and only a tyranny, aristocratic rule or dictatorship could destroy the peace, freedom and serenity of common man. This seems to be a legible argument by Paine, as we have seen the holocaust brought about by the rulers like Hitler or Saddam Hussein is atrocious. Equality is the right of people The author states that “England since the conquest hath known some few good monarchs, but groaned beneath a much larger number of bad ones: yet no man in his senses can say that their claim under William the Conqueror is a very honorable one”(Paine).This declares that monarchy is not a preferable ruling choice as common men suffered in these kinds of authoritative ruling. A man being born in world with an equal right on every aspect of his life should never be suppressed in any manner, provided that he is conducting a moral behavior code. The author considered, monarchy and all aristocratic rules as sin, because they defy the normal men of their rights and freedom to work and enjoy life to the fullest. This fact has been always proven by history that lay men and public always suffered under the rule of kings and dictators as they want to establish authority over others and wanted to have a hereditary succession and never wanted outsiders to have control on decisive and administrative powers of the country. According to (Paine), “When a king worn out with age and infirmity enters the last stage of human weakness. In both these cases the public becomes a prey to every miscreant who can tamper successfully with the follies either of age or infancy”. Shockingly, this is a pathetic state where people get subjected to the poor ruling skills of an old and weakened king. Government need to reflect equality in nature A republican government is the right of the people, and it gives them power to alter the government at a time when change is required for the betterment of the country and people. Only a republican government can work according to the voice of the common men. There should not be much dependence by people on the authorities of the country for their survival; instead the government should be working on the will and decision of the public. “We have boasted the protection of Great Britain, without considering, that her motive was INTEREST not ATTACHMENT; and that she did not protect us from OUR ENEMIES on OUR ACCOUNT; but from HER ENEMIES on HER OWN ACCOUNT”(Paine). The author her states that instead of protecting the common men from enemies, the country’s rulers have themselves have become against the interest of the common people. Unless a government is a republican one, it cannot serve to the interests of common men, and there would prevail inequality and injustice in the society. A republican government has no distinction among men and hence there is no superiority among any race or culture. There is no narrow limits on the power of people and equal rights and justice is bestowed upon all the people to assure them prosperity and abundance in life. The author is right in arguing for the want of a government which can assure full freedom to the common men, provided that they act on a moral basis. A government is needed mainly for to rule the people and to serve their basic interests and wants. It should also provide them complete security in the country and from the foreign invaders. A government which cannot give individual happiness and integrity cannot be specified as a right government. Every person born in this world has the freedom to enjoy full facilities available in a community, society or country. Security, freedom of property, health and well being, right of opinion and speech should be the prime aim of any government and this could only be offered by a republican government. The author argues that, every man has certain God given rights and no other man has the right to violate the law of nature and take away rights of another human being. Thomas Paine is right in mentioning that, a government should give equality to people, and, a republican government is the ideal form of government for any country in the world. Work Cited Paine, Thomas. "Common Sense By Thomas Paine." www.ushistory.org/.Independenc e Hall Association, 04-07-1994. Web. 22 Mar 2011. . Read More