Thomas Paine: Founder of Modern Democracy: Part 2

Gary Berton / September 1, 2025

Beacon, Beacon September 2025

Thomas Paine’s first principles built the structure of democracy. The mechanisms central to Paine’s political theories are rooted in his ideology of first principles. The basic foundation of these principles is equality, and as a direct result, justice. If equality is practiced, then people share equal justice.

Edmund Burke, Thomas Paine's Common Sense, Thomas Paine's Rights of Man

Thomas Paine: Founder of Modern Democracy: Part 2 Read Post »

Glimpses of Paine’s Reputation in History

The majority of historians have gone along with ignoring or misrepresenting Paine in history, from 18th century UK Tories to 21st century American biographer J.C.D. Clark. The reality was that the Federalists took over, wrote a constitution enabling plutocracy, and repressed the truth of Paine. Only two Paine biographers (Linton and Vale) were even half