Essay of Common Sense
Wang 1
Mingxun Wang
HIS 020
April 6th, 2012
Common Sense Essay In his book Common Sense, Thomas Paine, illustrates three main ideas on the future of American government. First, he argues that a government is natural and necessary. Second, he believes that America should be separated from Britain. Third, he proposes a structure for the American government. Paine uses these three points to put forth a convincing argument for the independence of the current thirteen colonies. First of all, based on his understanding of human`s nature and need, Paine believes government is necessary to help regulate the behavior of society(on a large scale) when that behavior encroaches upon the rights, freedom, and safety of other citizens. However, he then sharply reveals that when it comes to small group of people, for example in a "frontier" village, Paine argues that no formal government is necessary, because "common cause" for living is sufficient to regulate everyday relationships. For instance, at the beginning, the newly arrived emigrants would soon form into a society to surmount the first difficulties which bound them in a common cause. On the other hand, when they conquered that hard time, they would begin to relax in their duty and attachment to each other, and argue for more supplies (66). And then, there is a necessity for establishing some form of institution to ensure and protect basic elements of a community, such as moral virtue, public security and property. In other words, government is established to issue regulations and laws for citizens. Paine then mentions his next, and most important claim that America should rebel Wang 2 against Great Britain. In addition, the rebellion of American, which consists of the thirteen colonies, should attempt to claim their own sovereignty. Paine makes it clear that he is arguing for an absolute independent America, which also means independence of both aspects of politics and economy, neither a puppet
Mingxun Wang
HIS 020
April 6th, 2012
Common Sense Essay In his book Common Sense, Thomas Paine, illustrates three main ideas on the future of American government. First, he argues that a government is natural and necessary. Second, he believes that America should be separated from Britain. Third, he proposes a structure for the American government. Paine uses these three points to put forth a convincing argument for the independence of the current thirteen colonies. First of all, based on his understanding of human`s nature and need, Paine believes government is necessary to help regulate the behavior of society(on a large scale) when that behavior encroaches upon the rights, freedom, and safety of other citizens. However, he then sharply reveals that when it comes to small group of people, for example in a "frontier" village, Paine argues that no formal government is necessary, because "common cause" for living is sufficient to regulate everyday relationships. For instance, at the beginning, the newly arrived emigrants would soon form into a society to surmount the first difficulties which bound them in a common cause. On the other hand, when they conquered that hard time, they would begin to relax in their duty and attachment to each other, and argue for more supplies (66). And then, there is a necessity for establishing some form of institution to ensure and protect basic elements of a community, such as moral virtue, public security and property. In other words, government is established to issue regulations and laws for citizens. Paine then mentions his next, and most important claim that America should rebel Wang 2 against Great Britain. In addition, the rebellion of American, which consists of the thirteen colonies, should attempt to claim their own sovereignty. Paine makes it clear that he is arguing for an absolute independent America, which also means independence of both aspects of politics and economy, neither a puppet