Critique of Hereditary Government

Paine condemns monarchy and hereditary succession as absurd, tyrannical, and contrary to reason, arguing that they treat people as property and lead to war and oppression.

Paine opposed hereditary monarchy and privilege, approving a French throne only if not hereditary; Burke defended hereditary succession as divinely ordained.

Paine condemns the hereditary system exemplified by William the Conqueror's charters and the capricious election qualifications in England.

Paine systematically attacks hereditary succession as despotism, arguing that it precludes the consent of future generations and cannot be justified by wisdom or tradition.

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