Common Sense Summary | Chapterly
Common Sense by Thomas Paine: A Complete Summary "These are the times that try men's souls." Overview Common Sense (1776) is the most influential political pamphlet in American history. Published anonymously in January 1776, it sold hundreds of thousands of copies and convinced wavering colonists to support independence from Britain. Paine's clear, passionate prose made complex political arguments accessible to common people. The Argument for Independence On the Origin of Government Paine distinguishes society (cooperation for mutual benefit) from government (necessary evil restraining vice): "Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness." Government at best is a necessary evil; at worst, an intolerable one. Against Monarchy and Hereditary Succession Paine attacks the very idea of kings: "One of the strongest natural proofs of the folly of hereditary right in kings, is, that nature disapproves it, otherwise she would not so frequently turn it into ridicule by giving mankind an ass for a lion." How can one man's descendant forever rule millions? The idea is absurd. England's "balanced constitution" - king, lords, commons - is incoherent, with the monarchy undermining the supposedly democratic elements. The Case for American Independence Reconciliation with Britain is impossible and undesirable: Britain has...