Agrarian Justice by Thomas Paine

Name: Agrarian Justice
Author: Thomas Paine

The work presents a proposal for addressing social inequality and poverty resulting from the establishment of private property and agrarian laws. It argues that the earth, in its natural state, was common property for all humanity, and that the introduction of private land ownership has dispossessed many individuals of their rightful inheritance. The author contends that this system has led to widespread poverty and social injustice, which must be rectified through a new framework of agrarian justice. The central thesis is that every individual, upon reaching adulthood, should receive a financial compensation as a form of restitution for the loss of their natural inheritance due to the privatization of land. This compensation would be funded through a national system that collects a percentage of property transfers upon death, thereby redistributing wealth and providing a safety net for the poor and dispossessed. The proposed plan includes the establishment of a national fund that would provide a one-time payment to individuals at the age of twenty-one and an annual pension for those over fifty. The author emphasizes that this is not a charitable act but a matter of justice, asserting that society has a responsibility to ensure that no one is born into a condition worse than that of their ancestors in a natural state. The work critiques the existing social order, highlighting the stark contrast between the affluent and the impoverished, and calls for a revolution in both governance and societal structure. It argues that true civilization should ensure that all individuals have the means to thrive, rather than perpetuating cycles of poverty. The author outlines the mechanics of the proposed fund, detailing how it would operate without disrupting current property ownership. The plan aims to create a more equitable society by ensuring that wealth accumulation benefits the entire community rather than a select few. It posits that a just society will ultimately lead to greater stability and prosperity for all. In conclusion, the work advocates for a radical rethinking of property rights and social responsibility, urging a collective movement towards a more just and equitable society that recognizes the inherent rights of all individuals to share in the benefits of civilization.

By Thomas Paine · First published 1797 · Genre: Political Philosophy, Social Critique, Economic Theory · 5 chapters · 9,088 words

First lines

This pamphlet appeared first in Paris, 1797, with the title: "Thomas Payne à La Législature et au Directoire. Ou la Justice Agraire opposée à la Loi Agraire, et aux privilèges agraires. Prix 15 sols. À Paris, chez la citoyenne Ragouleau, près le Théâtre de la République, No. 229. Et chez les Marchands de Nouveautés. " A prefatory note says (translated): "The sudden departure of Thomas Paine has prevented his supervising the translation of this work, to which he attached great value. He entrusted it to a friend. It is for the reader to decide whether the scheme here set forth is worthy of the publicity given it. " (Paine had gone to Havre early in May with the Monroes, intending to accompany them to America, but, rightly suspecting plans for his capture by an English cruiser, returned to Paris.) In the same year the pamphlet was printed in English, by W. Adlard in Paris, and in London for "T. Williams, No. 8 Little Turnstile, Holborn. " Paine's preface to the London edition contained some sentences which the publishers, as will be seen, suppressed under asterisks, and two sentences were omitted from the pamphlet which I have supplied from the French. The English title adds a brief resumé of Paine's scheme to the caption -- "Agrarian Justice opposed to Agrarian Law, and to Agrarian Monopoly. " The work was written in the winter of 1795-–-6, when Paine was still an invalid in Monroe's house, though not published until 1797.

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Agrarian Justice is listed on Textopian as an essay by Thomas Paine, dated 1797 CE.

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Work type: Essay
Author: Thomas Paine
Date: 1797 CE
Language: English
Genres: Political Philosophy, Social Critique, Economic Theory, Pamphlet, Historical Document
Length: 9,088 words
Structure: 5 chapters, 82 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Genres

Political Philosophy — The work discusses principles of justice, property rights, and societal organization, central to political philosophy.
Social Critique — Paine critiques the existing social structures and proposes reforms to address inequality and poverty.
Economic Theory — The pamphlet presents a plan for a national fund and taxation of inheritances, addressing economic justice.
Pamphlet — The work is a pamphlet format, typical of political discourse in the 18th century.