A Declaration of Independence
Before Thomas Jefferson ever picked up his quill, Thomas Paine had composed a declaration of independence for the colonies from England. The entire structure of the logical progression of the narrative leads inexorably and inevitably to one single passage which commences with the assertion: “nothing can settle our affairs so expeditiously as an open and determined declaration for independence. Paine thereupon proceeds to outline four distinct arguments supporting the contention that fighting for complete and total independence from Britain is preferable to negotiating a reconciliation which leaves dependency intact.
The Pestilence of Monarchy
Throughout the text, Paine paints monarchy as a pestilential form of government conceived in sin and which succeeds only in which creating tyrants who rule over a degraded public. Monarchy created aristocracy and aristocracy in turn created corrupt system of succession. Taken together, the system of government which ruled Europe for centuries brought to the masses of its population nothing but blood, poverty and inequality. A revolution for independence from England would therefore be just the first step in the dismantling of a heinous system.
The Purpose of Government
Paine commences his arguments by defining the terms and conditions of government. The concept of government is containment: it exists to keep natural inclinations toward “wickedness” in check so that a society can thrive. The purpose of government is to act as a restraint upon the darker impulses of human nature which potentially serve to undermine the natural inclinations of a society to progress, pursue happiness and populate. Since government exists fundamentally to ensure a positive outcome by acting in a negative capacity, the logical outcome of this consideration is directly addressed by Paine who identifies that form of government which ensures the “least expense and greatest benefit, is preferable to all others.”
