Rights of Man
Thomas Paine's defence of the French Revolution and of natural rights, against Edmund Burke (1791–1792).
At a glance
Key ideas
Charters take rights away, Against hereditary rule, Every generation free …
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- Paine replies to Edmund Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790).
- He argues that rights come from nature and come before law, and that government exists only to protect them.
- He attacks hereditary government and aristocratic titles, since the wisdom to govern cannot be inherited.
- Its closing chapters propose welfare for the poor and the old, and schooling for children, paid for by cutting military spending and by progressive taxes.
Why it matters
- It sold as many as one million copies, and was the first of some 300 pamphlets in the revolution controversy to seriously damage Burke's case.
Key facts
- Author
- Thomas Paine1
- Published
- In Britain in two parts, March 1791 and February 17921
- Publisher
- Printed by Joseph Johnson, who withdrew it for fear of prosecution; published by J. S. Jordan1
- Dedicated to
- George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette1
- Consequence
- Paine was tried in his absence and convicted of seditious libel1
Key ideas
-
Charters take rights away1
A right granted by charter can be revoked, so it is a privilege, not a right.
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Against hereditary rule1
Paine was arguably the first to call for ending titles and hereditary government.
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Every generation free1
"Every age and generation must be as free to act for itself" as those before it.
-
Welfare is a right1
Help for the poor is not charity but an irrevocable right.
-
Schooling for the poor1
Families would get £4 a year for each child under 14, so the children could go to school.
Connections
Links
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