Thomas Paine, an influential English-American writer born in 1737, played a pivotal role in inspiring revolutionary sentiments through his powerful pamphlet, "Common Sense." Before his career as a radical pamphleteer, Paine's experiences as a corset maker, teacher, and tax officer in England shaped his progressive ideas in the vibrant intellectual atmosphere of the Enlightenment. Published in January 1776 in Philadelphia, "Common Sense" emerged amid growing colonial unrest against British rule, advocating for Independence with compelling clarity and Passion. Lauded and circulated widely, it galvanized public support for the American Revolution, drawing both fervent praise and Criticism for its bold Rhetoric. Its legacy endures as a cornerstone of democratic ideology, influencing subsequent revolutionary movements and thinkers globally, from republican governance to modern Economic Sociology.
Guiding Question
What justifies governance without consent?