The Role of Government

Thomas Paine believes that government only has value in restraining our vices.

Thomas Paine imagines a natural state of man before society was formed.

Paine uses the imagined natural state to analyze a political dilemma with his parable of the settlers first coming to America.

According to Paine, America will eventually be independent.

Thomas Paine argues that American independence was not an important first step in his arguments

Paine believes that if America reconciles with Britain, the problems between the colonies and the king will not repeat themselves

Paine argues that it would not be advantageous for America to form commercial and political ties with European countries other than Britain

Paine does not attack monarchy as an institution in his writings

Paine believes that the monarchy originated in sin, based on the text of the Bible

Paine attacks the structure of Britain's government, arguing that it is corrupt and unjust

Paine believes that only if the colonies declare independence will they be able to reap the opportunities offered by alliance with various European nations

Paine presents his specific problems with the British monarchy, including an attack on hereditary succession and numerous grievances against the present king