An Introduction to Thomas Paine's Common Sense.

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A Macat Analysis of Thomas Paine's Common Sense. Only a handful of texts have inspired and impassioned whole nations to take action.

Thomas Paine's Common Sense is one of them. This pamphlet, written by a British born emigrant to the American Colonies, political activist in 1776, it challenged British authority – and was the first work that openly called for American independence. At the time, America paid Britain taxes – but saw little benefit from them.

Instead, their taxes were used to line the pockets of the British treasury and pay for European wars. So, what comparisons can we draw to explain the relationship between Britain and America that Thomas Paine took such exception to? Let's imagine a shopkeeper.

He works on a street where crimes are occasionally committed. As a result, the shopkeeper develops some legitimate worries about the safety of his shop and his stock. A criminal gang turns up – posing as a protector. The ring-leader promises the shopkeeper protection from harm or thieves – in return for payment of a regular fee – a tax. The shopkeeper agrees to this tax, thinking that the money will be spent on increased security – perhaps a few patrol guards.

After a while, the shopkeeper's shop is vandalised, and much of his stock stolen. He realises that his money has not been spent on increasing security and decides to visit the ring-leader of the gang to tell him about the robbery and ask him how his money has been spent.

As he approaches the driveway of the ring-leader's large house, the shopkeeper sees what his money has paid for – large gates, armed guards and security cameras – to prevent him from even getting close to the house.

Instead of fulfilling the promise of protection, the gang uses the money for its own benefit instead – the shopkeeper has been swindled. At the same time the shopkeeper feels cheated, so too did American people – but again, like the shopkeeper, their voices were not heard.

Common Sense focused specifically on this injustice – asserting that Britain would never act in the interests of Americans and that America would never thrive under British rule.

Paine's pamphlet had the largest sale and circulation of any book published in American history relative to the population at the time – and was hugely popular, throughout the entire American revolutionary era.

A more detailed examination of Paine's ideas can be found in the Macat Analysis.