Had the spirit of prophecy directed the birth
of this production, it could not have brought it forth
at a more seasonable juncture, or a more necessary time.
– Thomas Paine (2nd edition of Common Sense)

“PERHAPS the sentiments contained in the following pages are not yet sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favor,” wrote Thomas Paine to begin his introduction to Common Sense. “A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.”

Thomas Paine in Common Sense voiced the vision of the Enlightenment movement in the 18th century. His radiant reasoning fits the Global Enlightenment movement of the 21st century. I’ve updated his essay to help us define a new vision of democracy that puts our highest ideals into practice today.

Back in 1776, a dark time for the friends of freedom, Paine’s essay revived hope and inspired action. For all progressives and libertarians today who mourn the loss of freedom, who want to restore democracy by uniting personal growth and politics, this update of Common Sense likewise can renew hope and inspire action.

Common Sense persuaded colonial Americans in 1776 to fight for independence. Without Paine’s essay, historians agree, the American Revolution would have failed for lack of public support. Kings and other masters, Paine argued, unduly claim for themselves the right to decide our future for us. He believed that an abuse of power calls into question the right of the abuser to hold power. Those suffering abuses have a natural right and a moral duty to reject their abusers.

Similarly, we have a right and duty to examine our personal habits and look into why we worship our rulers. Do we create governments to rule us so we can avoid responsibility for ruling ourselves? In this book we’ll expose what I call authority addiction. We’ll see how our hidden fears drive us to sacrifice liberty for security.

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