The Role Of Unworthiness In Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense'

As we are watching the makings of this election season unfold in front of us, many of us are quick to defend or challenge any presidential candidate. It is during this crucial time that, not only do we get to see the politics that people hold dear, but also the the embodiment of the leader they want. Some people would say that they would rather have no leader instead of one of these candidates. However, leaders are a necessity, for any group, organization, or established, set society and community. In Common Sense, Thomas Paine states that “Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil”. He elaborates, saying that when we encounter miseries from a government, that we would normally encounter with the lack of one, “we furnish
This concept might sound paradoxical, but it is quite simple. If the people, despite their true level of trustworthiness, are deemed untrustworthy by the government, they no longer have a bond of trust to break, causing them to act untrustworthy; a self-fulfilling prophecy, if you will. This can't be highlighted any better than it is in the Declaration of Independence. It stresses that the history of the then King was one “of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny”. He didn't trust the colonies, taxing them heavily, trying them unfairly, and allowing them no representation in Parliament. This gave way for us to then act untrustworthy, for we were not before, and unshackle ourselves from Britain for good. Once again we see that trust is essential for a leader, and when it is not utilized for the betterment of leaders and given to the people, there is no reason for the leaders to lead or the people to be or act
He elaborates on the fact that the best leader is not even known to exist. “When (the master’s) work is done, the people will say, “Amazing : we did it, all by ourselves””, according to Lao. He is trying to restate and exaggerate the, quite possibly most important, point in his writing. He states that “the master doesn't talk, he acts”, showing that he is not only a leader for the positive relationship he has with the people, but also for doing the things that need to be done. Despite this fact, this “best type” of leader doesn't take the credit for what could be argued is his success. He does this because of the trusting bond and positive relationship he holds with his people, allowing them the success, but also maintaining his role in leadership by not even hinting at the true depth of his rule. And it is because of this that I agree with Lao-tzu; anyone this selfless and pure of intent deserves to rule over a trustworthy people, just as much as the people of any place deserve a leader of this