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The cover of Rights of Man

Rights of Man

Thomas Paine

What rights do people have, and what makes a government fair, as Paine argues in reply to Burke for rule grounded in reason rather than birth?

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10 parts, about 21 minutes to read.

At a glance

Author
Thomas Paine
Parts
10 parts
Reading time
about 21 minutes

Why read it

  • You will be able to weigh the argument that no one should rule by birth, since talent cannot be inherited
  • You will see how a sharp writer takes apart a famous opponent's argument
  • You will notice that much social order comes from people living together, not from government

Who it is for

  • Readers of political philosophy who want the primary text
  • Citizens who ask why we have rights at all
  • Writers who want to see plain persuasion at work

What the summary covers

  1. Being an Answer to Mr. Burke’s Attack on the French Revolution5 min
  2. Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizens1 min
  3. Observations on the Declaration of Rights1 min
  4. Miscellaneous Chapter2 min
  5. Conclusion1 min
  6. Part II: Society and civilisation1 min
  7. The claimed origin of old governments1 min
  8. Hereditary power and representation2 min
  9. Constitutions made by the people2 min
  10. Putting public welfare into practice5 min

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