The Rights of Man: A Classic Treatise on Individual Rights and Liberties

The Rights of Man is a seminal work by Thomas Paine, published in 1791. It argues for the natural rights of all individuals, including the rights to life, liberty, and property. The work was widely read and influential during the American and French Revolutions, and it remains a significant contribution to the development of modern political thought.

Rights of Man (Dover Thrift Editions: Political Science)

by Thomas Paine

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2696 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	258 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	208 pages
Reading age	:	14 years and up
Item Weight	:	5.7 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.21 x 0.51 x 8.23 inches

FREE

Natural Rights

Paine begins The Rights of Man by asserting that all individuals are born with certain natural rights. These rights are inherent in human nature and cannot be taken away by any government. Paine argues that these rights include the right to life, the right to liberty, and the right to property.

The right to life is the most basic of all rights. It is the right to be free from violence and aggression. The right to liberty is the right to be free to live one's life as one chooses, without interference from the government. The right to property is the right to own and control one's own possessions.

Government

Paine argues that the purpose of government is to protect the natural rights of its citizens. Governments are created by the people, and they are accountable to the people. Paine believes that governments should be limited in their power, and that they should not interfere in the lives of their citizens unless it is necessary to protect the rights of others.

Paine also argues that governments should be representative of the people they serve. He believes that all citizens should have the right to vote, and that elected officials should be accountable to their constituents.

Tyranny

Paine warns that governments can become tyrannical if they are not held accountable to the people. Tyrannical governments violate the natural rights of their citizens, and they can use their power to oppress and enslave their people.

Paine argues that it is the right of the people to resist tyrannical government. He believes that the people have the right to overthrow a government that is no longer acting in their best interests.

Legacy

The Rights of Man was a widely read and influential work during the American and French Revolutions. It helped to inspire the Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. The work also influenced the development of modern political thought, and it remains a significant contribution to the debate over individual rights and liberties.

Today, The Rights of Man is still read and studied by political scientists and historians. It is a classic work that offers a powerful defense of individual rights and liberties. Paine's arguments are as relevant today as they were when he first wrote them, and The Rights of Man remains a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in the history of political thought or in the ongoing debate over individual rights and liberties.

Rights of Man (Dover Thrift Editions: Political Science)

by Thomas Paine

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2696 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	258 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	208 pages
Reading age	:	14 years and up
Item Weight	:	5.7 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.21 x 0.51 x 8.23 inches

FREE