Editing Common Sense (section)

===I. Of the Origin and Design of Government in General, With Concise Remarks on the English Constitution===
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 | quote = "Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness ''positively'' by uniting our affections, the latter ''negatively'' by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinction. The first is a patron, the last a punisher."
 | source = — Thomas Paine<ref>{{cite book |last1=Paine |first1=Thomas|title=Common Sense and Other Writings |editor=Gordon S. Wood |date=2003 |publisher=Modern Library |location=New York |isbn=9780375760112 |page=6}} </ref>
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In his first section, Paine related common [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] theories of the [[state of nature]] to establish a foundation for republican government. Paine began the section by making a distinction between [[society]] and [[government]] and argues that government is a "necessary evil." He illustrates the power of society to create and maintain happiness in man through the example of a few isolated people who find it easier to live together rather than apart, thus creating society. As society continues to grow, a government becomes necessary to prevent the natural evil Paine saw in man.

To promote civil society through laws and account for the impossibility of all people meeting centrally to make laws, representation and elections become necessary. As that model was clearly intended to mirror the situation of the colonists at the time of publication, Paine went on to consider the [[Constitution of the United Kingdom|English constitution]].

Paine found two tyrannies in the English constitution: monarchical and aristocratic tyranny in the king and peers, who rule by heredity and contribute nothing to the people. Paine criticized the English constitution by examining the relationship between the [[king]], the [[peerage|peers]], and the [[House of Commons#History and naming|commons]].