What were paines views on government and peoples rights?

Thomas Paine believed in the inherent rights of individuals and the importance of government as a protector of those rights. He argued that government should be a necessary evil, created by the people to safeguard their freedoms, and that it should operate with the consent of the governed. Paine championed the idea of democracy and called for a government that serves the common good, emphasizing the need for social justice and equality. His views were articulated in works like "Common Sense" and "The Rights of Man," where he advocated for revolutionary change against oppressive regimes.