From Natural Society to Government

Common Sense

This flow traces Paine’s account of how mutual needs create society and human failings make limited government necessary.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Social Beginning The Social Beginning from "Common Sense". The Social Beginning Need and Cooperation People first seek one another because isolated individuals cannot reliably meet their needs.

The Social Beginning from "Common Sense". The Social Beginning Need and Cooperation People first seek one another because isolated individuals cannot reliably meet their needs.

The Social Beginning Need and Cooperation People first seek one another because isolated individuals cannot reliably meet their needs. Shared labor turns vulnerability into the foundations of society. Before Government Paine presents association as a response to human necessity, not political command. Society’s first impulse is mutual aid rather than rule.

The First Settlement The First Settlement from "Common Sense". The First Settlement Common Labor A few settlers can build shelter together, while one person alone may spend a lifetime without completing the task.

The First Settlement from "Common Sense". The First Settlement Common Labor A few settlers can build shelter together, while one person alone may spend a lifetime without completing the task.

The First Settlement Common Labor A few settlers can build shelter together, while one person alone may spend a lifetime without completing the task. Cooperation makes survival possible. Mutual Dependence Hunger, illness, and accident expose the limits of solitude. Each person’s needs call forth assistance from others, binding the small community together.

Moral Duty Weakens Moral Duty Weakens from "Common Sense". Moral Duty Weakens Changing Conditions Shared danger initially sustains attachment, but success can loosen the bonds formed under pressure.

Moral Duty Weakens from "Common Sense". Moral Duty Weakens Changing Conditions Shared danger initially sustains attachment, but success can loosen the bonds formed under pressure.

Moral Duty Weakens Changing Conditions Shared danger initially sustains attachment, but success can loosen the bonds formed under pressure. Paine treats this change as a recurring human vulnerability. Need for Restraint When members cease to act justly toward one another, mutual goodwill no longer provides enough protection. The possibility of harm creates demand for a public remedy.

Government Emerges Government Emerges from "Common Sense". Government Emerges A Limited Remedy Government arises, in Paine’s account, because moral virtue cannot reliably govern everyone.

Government Emerges from "Common Sense". Government Emerges A Limited Remedy Government arises, in Paine’s account, because moral virtue cannot reliably govern everyone.

Government Emerges A Limited Remedy Government arises, in Paine’s account, because moral virtue cannot reliably govern everyone. It restrains misconduct rather than creating the social bonds people already possess. A Necessary Evil The institution is useful only as a response to insecurity. Its origin in human weakness also gives citizens reason to keep its powers limited.

Security as the Test Security as the Test from "Common Sense". Security as the Test Purpose of Rule Paine identifies freedom and security as government’s proper ends.

Security as the Test from "Common Sense". Security as the Test Purpose of Rule Paine identifies freedom and security as government’s proper ends.

Security as the Test Purpose of Rule Paine identifies freedom and security as government’s proper ends. A form of government should be judged by how effectively it provides them. Practical Standard The best arrangement achieves protection with the least cost and greatest benefit. This standard prepares his case against inherited and overly complicated political systems.

At the opening of the government argument

In the imagined first settlement

After the settlement overcomes its first hardships

As the community grows beyond intimate self-management

At the conclusion of the opening argument