Hobbes notes that there are three natural causes of conflict among people in the state of nature: distrust of one another, competition for limited resources, and glory (to preserve one's reputation): "So that in the nature of man, we find three principle causes of quarrel. ... Hobbes describes the state of nature, in which no common power exists, as one of continuous war and violence, and of fear and death. According to Hobbes, in such a condition, "it is manifest that during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in a condition which is called war; a...

• Word Count: 4512
• Approx Pages: 18
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

It is important to note that at this time the idea of Independence from Britain was not a common one and there were strong feelings in America between British Loyalists and the Colonial revolutionists. ... However in January of 1776, Thomas Payne wrote a pamphlet (Common Sense) that strongly urged the colonial cause. ...

• Word Count: 2128
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Thomas Paine played a pivotal role in galvanizing American thought, with his revolutionary pamphlet, Common Sense, which spoke of such radical ideas as natural rights and independence. ... On that note, we are constantly reminded that our government, our politicians and our beaurocrats all act in the best interest of the public. ...

• Word Count: 7038
• Approx Pages: 28
• Grade Level: Undergraduate