# Conclusion explained — The Rights of Man

> Chapter companion for The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine.

## What happens

Paine concludes by contrasting the old systems of hereditary government, which rely on ignorance and war, with the new republican systems based on reason, natural rights, and popular sovereignty. He argues that revolutions in America and France have restored the natural order, and he advocates for a European Congress to abolish war. He critiques mixed governments as corrupt and irresponsible, and he calls for reform through reason rather than convulsion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Natural Rights of Man

Paine reiterates the Declaration of Rights: men are born free and equal, and the end of political associations is the preservation of natural rights.

### Popular Sovereignty

The nation is the source of all sovereignty; monarchical sovereignty is abolished and restored to the nation.

### Critique of Hereditary Government

Hereditary succession is based on ignorance, as talents cannot be inherited; it is contrasted with republican government based on reason.

### Peace and Anti-War

Paine argues that war is a product of old governments and proposes a European Congress to abolish war.

## Character check-ins

### Thomas Paine

Author of the chapter; presents the concluding arguments for republican government and against hereditary monarchy.

### Edmund Burke

Criticized for his defense of the British Constitution and his disgust at France's rejection of it.

### Henry IV of France

Mentioned as the proposer of a plan for a European Congress to abolish war around 1610.

## Key lines

> Men are born, and always continue, free and equal in respect of their rights. Civil distinctions, therefore, can be founded only on public utility.

All people are born free and equal in rights, and any social differences must be justified by the common good.

_Paine quotes the French Declaration of the Rights of Man to ground his argument for natural equality._

> The nation is essentially the source of all sovereignty; nor can any individual, or any body of men, be entitled to any authority which is not expressly derived from it.

Sovereignty belongs to the nation as a whole; no person or group can hold power unless it is granted by the nation.

_Paine asserts the principle of popular sovereignty against monarchical claims._

> Man is not the enemy of man, but through the medium of a false system of Government.

People are not naturally enemies; it is only bad government that creates hostility between them.

_Paine argues that war is caused by corrupt political systems, not by human nature._

> Reason obeys itself; and Ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.

Reason is self-governing, while ignorance blindly follows commands.

_Paine contrasts the foundations of republican and hereditary governments._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rights_of_man_se/chapters/conclusion
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rights_of_man_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rights_of_man_se/chapters