Essays · Theme

Society vs. Government

How Essays develops Society vs. Government.

Paine distinguishes society, which arises from natural wants and promotes happiness, from government, which is a necessary evil born from human wickedness, and argues that government should be limited and serve only to protect security.

Where it surfaces

Of the Origin and Design of Government in General, with Concise Remarks on the English Constitution
Paine clearly distinguishes society as a blessing produced by our wants, and government as a necessary evil produced by our wickedness.
Agrarian Justice
Paine distinguishes between the benefits of civilized society and the evils it has produced, calling for reformed legislation to preserve the benefits while remedying the evils.