The Political Philosophy of Thomas Paine (The Political Philosophy of the American Founders)

This concise, insightful study explores the sources and impact of one of the early republic's most influential minds.An Englishman by birth, an American by choice and necessity, Thomas Paine advocated ideas about rights, equality, democracy, and liberty that were far advanced beyond those of his American compatriots. His seminal works, Common Sense and the Rights of Man, were rallying cries for the American and French Revolutions. More than any other eighteenth-century political writer and activist, Paine defies easy categorization. A man of contrasts and contradictions, Paine was as much a believer in the power of reason as he was in a benevolent deity. He was at once liberal and conservative, a Quaker who was not a pacifist, and an inherently gifted writer who was convinced he was always right.Jack Fruchtman Jr. analyzes Paine's radical thought both in the context of his time and as a blueprint for the future development of republican government. His systematic approach identifies the themes of signal importance to Paine's political thought, demonstrating especially how crucial religion and God were to the development and expression of his political ideals. (2011) Analyzes Thomas Paine's Radical Thought Both In The Context Of His Time And As A Blueprint For The Future Development Of Republican Government. An Englishman By Birth, An American By Choice And Necessity, Thomas Paine Advocated Ideas About Rights, Equality, Democracy, And Liberty That Were Far Advanced Beyond Those Of His American Compatriots. His Seminal Works, Common Sense And The Rights Of Man, Were Rallying Cries For The American And French Revolutions. A Man Of Contrasts And Contradictions, Paine Was As Much A Believer In The Power Of Reason As He Was In A Benevolent Diety. He Was At Once Liberal And Conservative, A Quaker Who Was Not A Pacifist, And An Inherently Gifted Writer Who Was Convinced He Was Always Right. Paine's Political Thought In Historical Context -- Faith And Reason, Human Nature And Sociability -- Common Sense, Authority, And Autonomy -- Permanent Revolution And Constitution Making -- From A Hamiltonian Spirit To Public Welfare -- Public Spirit, Civic Engagement, And Evolutionary Change. Jack Fruchtman, Jr. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This concise, thoughtful introduction to the work of Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense and Rights of Man , explores the impact of one of the most influential minds of the American and French Revolutions and the sources from which his thinking evolved. In Jack Fruchtman Jr.'s helpful interpretation, Paine built his argument for radical revolution in 1776 on a study of nature and Providence and a belief in natural rights. Men and women owed it to themselves to break the chains of rank, hierarchy, and even organized religion in order to live freely, embracing the possibilities of invention, progress, and equality that lay ahead. In 1793, at the height of the French Revolution and its secularizing fury, Paine reminded readers that it was nature's God who created natural rights. The rights of man thus held out both the great potential of freedom and the requirement that human beings be responsible for those who were the least fortunate in society. On balance we may think of Paine as a secular preacher for the rule of reason. Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Introduction 14 1 Paine’s Political Thought in Historical Context 28 2 Faith and Reason, Human Nature and Sociability 41 3 Common Sense, Authority, and Autonomy 69 4 Permanent Revolution and Constitution Making 90 5 From a “Hamiltonian” Spirit to Public Welfare 116 6 Public Spirit, Civic Engagement, and Evolutionary Change 147 Conclusion 164 Appendix: A Note on Paine’s American National Consciousness 170 Notes 180 Recommended Reading 218 Index 220 A 220 B 220 C 220 D 221 E 221 F 221 G 221 H 221 I 222 J 222 K 222 L 222 M 222 N 222 O 223 P 223 Q 224 R 224 S 225 T 225 U 225 V 225 W 225 X 225 Z 225 0801892848,9780801892844 An introduction to the work of Thomas Paine, one of the most influential minds of the American and French Revolutions and the author of "Common Sense and Rights of Man". It explores the impact of Paine and the sources from which his thinking evolved