A Continental Navy as Economic Policy

Common Sense

This flow tracks Paine’s proposal to make naval construction an investment in both commerce and national protection.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Debt and National Capacity Debt and National Capacity from "Common Sense". Debt and National Capacity A Cost Worth Bearing Paine argues that a national debt could be justified if it secures a durable government.

Debt and National Capacity from "Common Sense". Debt and National Capacity A Cost Worth Bearing Paine argues that a national debt could be justified if it secures a durable government.

Debt and National Capacity A Cost Worth Bearing Paine argues that a national debt could be justified if it secures a durable government. Spending on a lasting political foundation differs from paying for temporary relief. Investment in the Future The relevant question is not whether defense costs money, but whether the expenditure leaves future generations a useful inheritance.

A Navy’s Price A Navy’s Price from "Common Sense". A Navy’s Price Making the Costs Visible Paine presents estimates for ships of different sizes and uses them to calculate the cost of Britain’s fleet.

A Navy’s Price from "Common Sense". A Navy’s Price Making the Costs Visible Paine presents estimates for ships of different sizes and uses them to calculate the cost of Britain’s fleet.

A Navy’s Price Making the Costs Visible Paine presents estimates for ships of different sizes and uses them to calculate the cost of Britain’s fleet. The figures challenge the belief that naval strength is beyond American reach. Arithmetic as Persuasion By turning a formidable institution into a set of costs, he invites readers to judge its scale practically rather than fearfully.

Local Shipbuilding Local Shipbuilding from "Common Sense". Local Shipbuilding Domestic Materials Timber, iron, tar, and cordage provide the basis for building ships within America.

Local Shipbuilding from "Common Sense". Local Shipbuilding Domestic Materials Timber, iron, tar, and cordage provide the basis for building ships within America.

Local Shipbuilding Domestic Materials Timber, iron, tar, and cordage provide the basis for building ships within America. Paine presents this supply as a strategic advantage over states dependent on imports. A Productive Industry Shipbuilding could employ skilled workers and turn existing resources into durable assets. The navy becomes an extension of the continent’s economic capacity.

Merchant Fleet Incentives Merchant Fleet Incentives from "Common Sense". Merchant Fleet Incentives Commercial Vessels Paine proposes premiums for merchants who build armed ships, with support scaled to the commercial cost of fitting…

Merchant Fleet Incentives from "Common Sense". Merchant Fleet Incentives Commercial Vessels Paine proposes premiums for merchants who build armed ships, with support scaled to the commercial cost of fitting…

Merchant Fleet Incentives Commercial Vessels Paine proposes premiums for merchants who build armed ships, with support scaled to the commercial cost of fitting them for defense. A smaller number of guardships could complement them. Avoiding Idle Power The approach would keep vessels in useful service rather than allowing a fleet to decay in port. Commerce would help sustain the capacity it might later need for protection.

Trade and Protection Joined Trade and Protection Joined from "Common Sense". Trade and Protection Joined Strength in Mutual Support Paine’s policy makes wealth and security reinforce each other.

Trade and Protection Joined from "Common Sense". Trade and Protection Joined Strength in Mutual Support Paine’s policy makes wealth and security reinforce each other.

Trade and Protection Joined Strength in Mutual Support Paine’s policy makes wealth and security reinforce each other. Ships serve commercial purposes while preserving a capacity for defense. Independence in Practice The proposal turns political independence into practical preparation. A free country, in his account, must be able to protect the coast and trade on which its prosperity rests.

As Paine assesses America’s wartime resources

During Paine’s naval cost calculations

As Paine describes American manufacturing prospects

During the proposed peacetime naval policy

At the conclusion of the naval proposal