Book SummaryCommon Sense, by Thomas Paine

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Common Sense

Common Sense was a pamphlet published in 1776 arguing in favor of American independence from England. Though published anonymously, it was written by Thomas Paine, one of the US’s Founding Fathers. Its arguments were persuasive enough that it’s credited as playing a key role in uniting Americans behind the liberation movement, transforming what was seen as a regional skirmish into a national cause, and providing both an intellectual backing and a roadmap for American independence.

It’s often...

Common Sense Summary 1: The Role of Government

Paine distinguishes between society and government, discusses why government is necessary, and outlines his argument as to why England has violated the natural role of government.

Society vs. Government, and Why Government Is Necessary

In order to understand what makes an ideal government, we first need to understand the difference between government and society.

• Society is produced by a group banding together for collective wants. This is in all cases a positive development.
• Government is produced by moral failings—it is a restraint on vice. In the best case, government is a necessary evil; in the worst case, it can become intolerable.

Because evil develops in society and among humans, they agree to enter into a contract where they give up some of their freedoms for protections from said evil. A government’s only purpose is to provide its citizens with security from the vices that are inherent in all humans.

Paine introduces a thought experiment about how government comes to be. (Shortform note: This sort of thought experiment is popular in seminal political philosophy, including Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan and Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s *Social...

Common Sense Summary 2: Problems With Monarchical Governments

Paine argues that monarchical governments are inherently evil, and that hereditary monarchies are particularly unjust.

Monarchical Governments Are Morally Evil

The Bible shows that the distinction of men into kings and subjects is wrong. The only ruler of men should be God, which is proven by many stories in the Bible that make it clear God doesn’t condone monarchies. Paine uses the example of the Jews, who after being led to a great victory by Gideon, attempt to make him their king. Gideon refuses, proving his own virtue by noting that men shouldn’t have kings.

Hereditary monarchy is even more of a sin, for a number of reasons:

• If all men are equal, no one should be able to set up his family in...

Common Sense Summary 3: The Current Relationship Between England and America

Paine writes that England, with its tyrannical system of government, has begun to violently oppress the American people, leaving the American colonies with no choice but to rebel. He argues that the situation has deteriorated enough that it’s clear reconciliation won’t ever happen. He also says a liberation movement should happen because:

• It’s a cause that will affect an entire continent, comprising at least an eighth of the world’s population.
• It’s a cause that will endure and affect all future generations.

(Shortform note: Paine’s references to England’s oppression would have been readily understood by the public of the time. Common Sense was written after the Boston Tea Party, subsequent crackdowns by the colonial English government on rebel factions in America, and the skirmishes of Lexington and Concord.)

Arguments for and Against Reconciliation

Paine notes that many people in the American colonies are in favor of reconciliation with England, optimistic that England can mend its ways and begin to rule fairly over them. He outlines some of their arguments, then offers some arguments refuting them:

1: America flourished as part of England, and thus needs...

Common Sense Summary 4: America Can and Should Form a Republic

Paine argues that America has a lot of natural advantages when it comes to the possibility of revolution. There will never be a greater chance of success than there is right now, and if Americans do not seize the opportunity, they leave themselves open to more oppression from England or violent takeover from somewhere else.

Arguments for Immediate Revolution

Paine writes that America has never been in a better place than it is right now to commit to revolution because:

• The people are united.
• There are enough citizens to hold off any army against them.
• Conversely, there are not yet too many citizens: Once the population gets bigger, it will be harder to defend all its towns. Additionally, the...

Common Sense Summary Addendum #1: Response to King George III’s Speech

(Shortform note: This section was not in the original version of Common Sense, but was published as an addendum after King George III gave a speech to the English parliament on October 26, 1775 in which he called the American rebels traitors.)

Paine uses the King’s speech to reiterate much of...

Common Sense Summary Addendum #2: Message to the Quakers

(Shortform note: Paine writes a message to the Quakers in an attempt to gain their support for the revolution and explain the guiding principles of peace, despite the necessity of war. He also chastises them for their lack of support. Thomas Paine himself was born into a Quaker family. Most Quakers eventually remained pacifist during the war and refused to support any efforts.)

Paine argues that the Quakers...

Shortform Exercise: Build Your Own Society

Consider what you prioritize in your daily life by thinking about your ideal society and government.

Do you agree with Paine’s assertion that the sole purpose of government is to protect its citizens? Why or why not? If not, what are other purposes of government?

Shortform Exercise: What Makes a Republican Government?

Think about the pros and cons of Paine’s goals for an ideal government and compare them to what actually happened in America.

What are the similarities and differences between Paine’s proposed Continental Congress and how Congress functions today?