Declaration of Rights
The work outlines the fundamental principles of natural rights, emphasizing that the maintenance of these rights is the primary purpose of societal union. It asserts that civil and political rights include liberty, equality, security, property, social protection, and the right to resist oppression. Liberty is defined as the freedom to act as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others, with the law serving as the expression of the general will that protects these rights. Equality is highlighted as the equal enjoyment of rights for all individuals, with laws applying uniformly, regardless of the individual’s status. Security is described as the protection of citizens' rights and property, with legal processes governing accusations and detentions to prevent arbitrary actions. The presumption of innocence is emphasized, along with the necessity for laws to be enacted before offenses occur, ensuring that penalties are proportionate and necessary for public safety. Property rights are affirmed, allowing individuals to control their possessions and engage in commerce freely, while prohibiting the sale of oneself. The work stresses that no one can be deprived of property without consent, except under specific legal conditions, and that taxation must serve the general welfare. Education is deemed a societal obligation, and the sovereignty of the nation is declared as indivisible and inalienable, residing in the people. The text insists that no individual or group can claim sovereignty without legal delegation. It calls for clear legal boundaries for public administration and accountability for public officials. The right to resist oppression is underscored, identifying oppression as any violation of natural rights by law or public officials. The work advocates for legal means to address such oppression, asserting that a government must allow for constitutional reform and that no generation can impose its laws on future generations, rejecting hereditary positions in governance as tyrannical.
By Thomas Paine · First published 1791 · Genre: Political Philosophy, Social Contract Theory, Legal Theory · 976 words
First lines
The object of all union of men in society being maintenance of their natural rights, civil and political, these rights are the basis of the social pact: their recognition and their declaration ought to precede the Constitution which assures their guarantee.
The natural rights of men, civil and political, are liberty, equality, security, property, social protection, and resistance to oppression.
What this Textopian page supports
Declaration of Rights is listed on Textopian as an essay by Thomas Paine, dated 1791 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Thomas Paine
- Date: 1791 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Political Philosophy, Social Contract Theory, Legal Theory, Human Rights, Political Activism
- Length: 976 words
- Structure: 1 section, 37 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Declaration of Rights by Thomas Paine
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Declaration of Rights?
- How does this essay by Thomas Paine fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Political Philosophy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Dissertation On First Principles Of Government by Thomas Paine
- Two Treatises Of Government by John Locke
- Democracy In America Volume 4 by Alexis De Tocqueville
- The Republican Proclamation by Thomas Paine
- Just Government by Thiruvalluvar
- On Liberty by John Stuart Mill
Genres
- Political Philosophy — The text discusses the principles of natural rights, civil rights, and political rights, central to political philosophy.
- Social Contract Theory — It outlines the social pact and the relationship between individuals and the state, key elements of social contract theory.
- Legal Theory — The work addresses the nature of law, justice, and the rights of individuals within a legal framework.
- Human Rights — It emphasizes the importance of individual rights and freedoms, foundational to human rights discourse.
Tags
Revolutionary Text · Pamphlet · 1776 · American History · Colonial Era · Liberty · Freedom · Democracy · Republicanism · Social Contract · Natural Rights · Philosophical Treatise