Where are you politically?

[marlowe]

Originally Posted by ila

.....For the true origins of modern democracy you should look closer to home Marlowe. England is the model for all modern democratic societies. It is through many struggles and travails that the English endured and persisted in that gave the world modern democracy. The 'Rights of Man' actually started with the Magna Carta, but that was only just a beginning and didn't, in and of itself, bring about true democracy and equality.

Hi Ila

I was referring to "The Rights of Man" by Thomas Paine. He promoted liberty and human equality as inalienable rights and his writings were a big influence on the American Revolution and the subsequent Declaration of Independence. Also, I believe it was Paine who first suggested the name 'United States of America' for the new nation.

Strictly speaking I'm not right in saying that work came out of America. Paine was an Englishman who emigrated to America. What I meant was that the underlying foundation of American politics are based on ideas of liberty and equality, and that's a reason to be optimistic.

[ila]

Originally Posted by marlowe

Hi Ila
I was referring to "The Rights of Man" by Thomas Paine.

Hi Marlowe,

I know Thomas Paine and I'm not a big fan of his writings. His arguments can be very polarizing as in his book 'The Age of Reason' (although I haven't read the full book, only extracts).