..In America, the law is king. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be king; and there ought to be no other."

Question

--Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776.

Which political concept is MOST closely aligned with the views of Thomas Paine?

Answer 1

The political concept that is most closely aligned with the views of Thomas Paine is the concept of constitutionalism. He believed that the law should be supreme and that the government should be constrained by a written constitution that outlines the rights and liberties of the people. Paine argued against absolute governments where the king's will is the law and instead advocated for free countries where the law is supreme and there is no other authority.