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The Writings of Thomas Paine — Volume 2 (1779-1792): The Rights of Man

by Thomas Paine (1737–1809)

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  • 6 hours to read
  • 10 chapters
  • Reading level: 10th to 12th grade

"The Rights of Man" by Thomas Paine is a political work published in two parts in 1791 and 1792. Written in defense of the French Revolution against Edmund Burke's conservative attack, it argues that governments exist solely to protect natural human rights and that revolution is justified when they fail this purpose. Paine challenges hereditary monarchy and aristocracy, proposing radical reforms including a written constitution, elimination of noble titles, progressive taxation, and subsidized education for the poor. The book sold an estimated one million copies and inspired reformers across Britain.

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  • France · History · Revolution, 1789-1799 · Causes
  • Political science
  • Great Britain · Politics and government · 1760-1820
  • Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797. Reflections on the revolution in France

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Conclusion

Reason and Ignorance, the opposites of each other, influence the great bulk of mankind. If either of these can be rendered sufficiently extensive in a country, the machinery of Government goes easily on. Reason obeys itself; and Ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.

The two modes of the Government which prevail in the world, are:

First, Government by election and representation.

Secondly, Government by hereditary succession.

The former is generally known by the name of republic; the latter by that of monarchy and aristocracy.

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Contents

  1. Front Matter
  2. Conclusion
  3. Preface
  4. Introduction
  5. Chapter I: Of Society and Civilisation
  6. Chapter II: Of the Origin of the Present Old Governments
  7. Chapter III: Of the Old and New Systems of Government
  8. Chapter IV: Of Constitutions
  9. Chapter V: Ways and Means of Improving the Condition of Europe
  10. Appendix

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About this edition

This free edition of The Writings of Thomas Paine — Volume 2 (1779-1792): The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #3742, released 2003-02-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Essays, Letters & Speeches, History - European, History - Modern (1750+), Philosophy & Ethics, Politics.

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