Man did not enter society to be worse off, or to have fewer rights, but rather to have those rights better secured

Man did not enter society to be worse off, or to have fewer rights, but rather to have those rights better secured

Thomas Paine, a prominent figure in the American Revolution and a key advocate for independence from British rule, believed strongly in the idea that individuals enter society in order to have their rights better secured. In his influential pamphlet "Common Sense," Paine argued that the purpose of government is to protect the natural rights of its citizens, rather than to infringe upon them. He believed that individuals come together in society to create a government that will safeguard their rights and ensure their well-being.

Paine's belief in the importance of securing rights through society can be seen in his writings on the social contract theory. According to this theory, individuals give up certain freedoms in exchange for the protection and security provided by a government. Paine believed that this social contract was essential for the functioning of a just and equitable society. He argued that individuals should not be worse off or have fewer rights when they enter society, but rather should have those rights better protected and secured.

Paine's ideas on the purpose of government and the protection of rights were instrumental in shaping the political philosophy of the American Revolution. His writings inspired many colonists to take up arms against British rule and fight for their independence. Paine's belief in the importance of securing rights through society also influenced the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, both of which enshrine the protection of individual rights as a fundamental principle of government.