Book Analysis Essay on Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Introduction

'Common Sense' by Thomas Paine analyzes the arguments that act in favor of American independence. The introductory section of the book examines the decision of American independence. Paine seeks to determine whether America should remain under the rule of the British or whether it was time for the country to fight for its freedom. At the time, America was fighting for independence against the British regime. Paine stipulated that the world had the desire to see America free since other colonies would follow the same path. The author was in favor of independence for America. Paine argued that the regime of the British had intensive downfalls considering that they follow a political system ruled by a royal family where power is inherited. As such, the country is not democratic. Paine believed that it is challenging to acquire freedom in a non-democratic situation. In contrast, America needed to be independent and develop a democratic political system. Additionally, Paine argues against those in support of the British regime with claims that they were cowards who feared to take bold steps away from the rule of the Britons. Towards the end of the pamphlet, Thomas Paine indicated the need to distinguish between religious views and the politics of America. Notably, some religious persons condemned America's fight for independence with claims that it was not Godly. However, Paine concluded the pamphlet by indicating that religion should be excluded from politics since the battle for freedom would result in a greater good for the American people. Paine believed that it is through the struggles of independence that America would become free and democratic. Therefore, this paper analyzes the most persuasive arguments of Thomas Paine, the evidence that is based on Paine's general political philosophy and American circumstances, Paine's attitude to monarchy, and governments that Paine desires to see in the United States.

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An essential argument by Thomas Paine is that it was time for America to set itself free from the rule of Great Britain. In a bid to ensure that everybody understands his claims, the author claimed on the need to end the relationship that Americans had with Great Britain by claiming that it was dysfunctional and irreparable. Importantly, Paine stipulates that Americans were proud of the protection of Great Britain without knowing that the Britons did not protect them but rather safeguarded their interests (Paine 63). In addition to that, Paine was keen to dismiss Britain, as America's parent country, after parliament argued that colonies lacked relations with each other. Instead, they were connected to their parent countries (Paine 64). For Paine, the fact that Britain was America's parent country was not a sign of relations but a sign of enmity (Paine 64). The author shamed Britain by claiming that parents do not devour the young, nor do they make wars on their families in a bid to show why America should revolt against the Britons (Paine 65). Britain waged war against the Americans to foster support from the Americans. By arguing that Britain brought war to America, Paine tried to show that it was time for Americans to be free from the Britons. The war also could describe the negative influence of the Britons on American culture. War is an unfortunate event that causes destruction. In this case, Paine could refer to the political beliefs of Great Britain as the war that sought to destroy America if the people did not fight for independence. Paine claimed that those who opposed independence were embracing external tyranny (Paine 104). Accordingly, monarchy leads to tyranny, and the British government, under their kind, has never acted desirably towards the colonists. Thus, the Britain government would not bring protection to America.

Further, some of the arguments by Thomas Paine were based on his general philosophy, while others were based on some circumstances facing the American people. Rebelling against the monarchy form of government that is practiced by the Britain government was based on his political beliefs. Pain asserted that a monarchial government is evil and could degrade and lower the status of America (Paine 40). Importantly, at the time, America was just a colony just like any other. No one would know that it would later become one of the most powerful countries in the world, including Paine himself. By arguing against monarchies, Paine was basing his arguments on his political beliefs and opinions regarding monarchy forms of government and not on the present situations in America. The author believed that men were all equal and that no one by birth is privileged enough to belong to a royal family (Paine 40). More so, he claimed that nature is also against the hereditary form of government. Britain and England have survived on kingship styles of leadership, and its citizens do not have any less status when compared to the Americans. With this in mind, one can see why the claims against monarchy form of government are based on the political philosophy of Thomas Paine. The arguments based on the circumstances in America were when Thomas Paine dismissed the claims that America had prospered under the rule and regime of Great Britain. Paine claimed that the argument that the connection with the Britons was critical for the future happiness of the Americans was fallacious (Paine 61). Paine analyzes facts considering that the American cotton farms were doing well even before the arrival of the Britons. Using these situations, Paine argues that America would have flourished in the same way it did with or without the Britons (Paine 61).

Paine detested monarchy forms of government and desired for the formation of a government where every American was free to ascend to power. Paine quoted the bible in asserting that a monarchy form of government was a sin (Paine 37). In monarchy government, the kings have the power to humiliate the subjects. Although the constitution mandates the citizens to check the power limits of the king by withholding their supplies, the king also has the power of rejecting the bills proposed by the subjects (Paine 23). As such, this makes him more powerful and wiser than the citizens, which Paine claimed was absurd (Paine 23). Humankind was created to be equal beings. The hereditary successions deny every individual from enjoying equality (Paine 31). Thomas Paine believed that America should turn out to a country that is different from Britain, where no rule causes havoc of humankind like the royal brute of Britain (Paine 103). The phrase royal brute refers to King George III, who was the king of Britain at the time of the American Revolution. Paine further argued that America should be ruled under a situation where the law is the king and where nothing looked defective, having in mind that in a monarchy, the king is the law (Paine 103). Paine envisioned America as a free country where the law is king. The legislation, according to Paine, would govern the kinds of governments formed in America. Importantly, it would help to ensure that monarchies and any other forms of oppression from rulers are avoided. In other words, America should be a free country where every individual within the area enjoys his or her freedom and privileges. The form of government that best matches Paine's description is a democratic government where every citizen has a role to play in electing leaders and in policymaking.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the pamphlet, 'Common Sense' by Thomas Paine, argues in favor of American independence. Paine writes the leaflet at the time when there were extensive discussions as to whether America should remain under the regime of the Britons or whether it should fight for its independence. In the pamphlet, Paine shows his dislike for monarchies, which is one of the compelling arguments that the author makes to argue against the colonization of America by the Britain. The pamphleteer used bible quotations and his political beliefs of the need for equality to show how monarchies were oppressive to the subjects. More so, he went as far as to call the king of Britain at the time a royal brute due to the war that he waged against the Americans and his subjects as well. In addition to that, Thomas Paine believed that America did not need to be colonized for it to be successful. Instead, America would have still been prosperous, considering that the country had large plantations that did well at the time. Paine also dismissed remarks that the Britons protected the Americans by claiming that although it was a parent country, no mother or father would inflict pain on their children. Mainly, this implied that the Britons inflicted pain on the Americans and did not protect them, but instead, they safeguarded their interests, which was another reason why Paine supported independence. Lastly, Paine described a nation that he envisioned for America. He argued that America should be a country governed by law instead of kings. Primarily, this meant that rules would ensure that governments remain in check. Besides, every citizen should enjoy being free, unlike in monarchies. Therefore, the conclusion derived from this analysis is that Paine argued in favor of a democratic nation where every citizen participates in policymaking decisions.

Works Cited

Paine, Thomas. Common Sense. Chicago: Otbebookpublishing, 2019, http://www.gutenberg.org/files/147/147-h/147-h.html