In this episode we unpack "Common Sense" by English-American Political Activist Thomas Paine. This Books Explores... The Functions of Society and Government The Evils of Monarchy The Path Forward for the American Colonies Links to Reading & Articles mentioned Common Sense by Thomas Paine *note* reading is not required to enjoy this episode! Host: Zach Stehura  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UnpackingIdeas.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Guest: Jared Shoup Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Polyenso⁠⁠⁠⁠ Time Stamps 0:00:00 Introduction 0:05:01 Historical Context of Common Sense 0:13:37 Thomas Paine’s Background  0:20:48 The Differences Between Society and Government  00:25:00 Government as a Necessary Evil 00:27:28 Anti-Monarchy Sentiments in The Old Testament  0:30:11 Parallels Between The 12 Tribes of Israel and The 13 American Colonies  0:32:01 The Origins of Kings 0:35:35 Paine’s Critiques of Hereditary Succession 00:37:35 Paine’s Critiques of Constitutional Monarchy   0:42:13 The Disease of Monarchy  0:44:19 Paine’s Ad Hominem Attacks 0:45:14 The Present State of American Affairs 0:46:26 Why Separation from England is Necessary 0:47:40 England as “The Mother Country”     0:50:00 Why America Doesn’t Need England for Protection 0:51:16 Why America Doesn’t Need England for Trade 0:52:20 Logistical Nightmare of Communication with England 0:53:52 Why Now is the Time for Separation 0:54:58 The Paradoxical Correlation between a Nation’s Population and Military Size 0:58:00 “Relapse More Wretched Than the First” 0:59:56 Paine’s Ideas in What an American Government Should Look Like 1:04:06 America’s Naval Potential  1:07:44 Paine’s Call to Unite America 1:10:35 The Impact of “Common Sense” 1:13:05 Wrapping Up/Outro