# Essays — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Essays by Thomas Paine.

- [Common Sense](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/common-sense.md): Thomas Paine argues for American independence from British rule, critiquing monarchy and hereditary succession, and advocating for a representative government based on natural rights.
- [Of the Origin and Design of Government in General, with Concise Remarks on the English Constitution](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/of-the-origin-and-design-of-government-in-general-with-concise-remarks-on-the-english-constitution.md): Paine distinguishes society from government, arguing that society arises from our wants and promotes happiness, while government is a necessary evil born from our wickedness. He traces the origin of government to a hypot
- [Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/of-monarchy-and-hereditary-succession.md): Paine argues against monarchy and hereditary succession, asserting that all men are originally equal and that kingship is an unnatural and unjust institution. He uses biblical examples, such as Gideon and Samuel, to show
- [Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/thoughts-on-the-present-state-of-american-affairs.md): Paine argues that reconciliation with Britain is dangerous and that only independence can preserve peace and prevent civil war. He warns that a continued connection will lead to ruin, as the king will use his negative to
- [Of the Present Ability of America: With Some Miscellaneous Reflections](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/of-the-present-ability-of-america-with-some-miscellaneous-reflections.md): Paine argues that the time for American independence has arrived, emphasizing the continent's military strength, unity, and economic potential. He dismisses concerns about readiness, advocates for a continental charter a
- [Appendix](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/appendix.md): Paine argues that American independence from Britain is both inevitable and immediately necessary, contrasting the simplicity of independence with the complexity and danger of reconciliation. He emphasizes that delay wea
- [The Republican Proclamation](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/the-republican-proclamation.md): This chapter presents a proclamation declaring that King Louis XVI has effectively abdicated the throne by his flight and that the nation no longer owes him obedience. It argues that monarchy is a burdensome and dangerou
- [Anti-Monarchal Essay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/anti-monarchal-essay.md): Paine reflects on the joy of the French Republic's establishment, cautioning that the abolition of royalty must go beyond removing the king to dismantling the institution itself. He argues that monarchy is absurd and det
- [Royalty](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/royalty.md): This chapter launches a fierce critique of monarchy and hereditary succession, arguing that royalty is an absurd and harmful institution born of brigandage and maintained by superstition and force. It contrasts hereditar
- [Declaration of Rights](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/declaration-of-rights.md): This chapter presents a comprehensive declaration of natural rights, including liberty, equality, security, property, and resistance to oppression, and outlines the principles of law, sovereignty, and social guarantee th
- [Dissertation on First Principles of Government](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/dissertation-on-first-principles-of-government.md): Paine argues that hereditary government has no right to exist, contrasting it with the representative system based on natural rights. He examines the origin of hereditary power, dismissing claims of right by time or law,
- [The Decline and Fall of the English System of Finance](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/the-decline-and-fall-of-the-english-system-of-finance.md): Paine argues that the English funding system, like all paper money systems, is doomed to collapse. He contrasts it with the American and French experiments, showing that while England's system lasts longer by keeping cap
- [Agrarian Justice](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/agrarian-justice.md): Thomas Paine argues that the earth is the common property of all generations, and that private land ownership creates an inequality that must be remedied through a system of agrarian justice. He proposes a fund to compen
- [Editor’s Introduction](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/editor-s-introduction.md): The editor introduces Thomas Paine's pamphlet 'Agrarian Justice,' first published in Paris in 1797, written during the winter of 1795–6 while Paine was recovering at Monroe's house. The introduction contextualizes the pa
- [Author's Inscription](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/author-s-inscription.md): Thomas Paine addresses the French Legislature and Executive Directory, dedicating his work on agrarian justice and natural property rights. He critiques the French Constitution for failing to maintain universal suffrage,
- [Author's English Preface](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/author-s-english-preface.md): Paine explains the origin of 'Agrarian Justice,' written in 1795-96, and his decision to publish it in response to a sermon by Bishop Watson that claims God made rich and poor. Paine argues that God made only male and fe
- [Agrarian Justice](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/agrarian-justice.md): Paine argues that civilization, while bringing benefits, has also created poverty and inequality. He proposes a system of ground-rent and inheritance tax to compensate every person for the loss of their natural inheritan
- [Means by Which the Fund Is to Be Created](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/means-by-which-the-fund-is-to-be-created.md): Paine outlines a plan for a national fund to compensate individuals for the loss of their natural inheritance due to the system of landed property. He proposes a tax on inheritances, paid at the time of property transfer
- [Means for Carrying the Proposed Plan Into Execution, and to Render It at the Same Time Conducive to the Public Interest](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/means-for-carrying-the-proposed-plan-into-execution-and-to-render-it-at-the-same-time-conducive-to-the-public-interest.md): Paine outlines a detailed financial mechanism for implementing his proposed inheritance tax and national fund. Each canton elects commissioners to register property, and the principal heir of a deceased person must pay a
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/endnotes.md): This chapter provides editorial endnotes and commentary on Thomas Paine's works, including his involvement in drafting the French Constitution and Declaration of Rights, his critique of monarchy and hereditary succession

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/essays_3_se/chapters