THE AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT

Political thought is accumulated with the study of justice, rights, law, property and liberty. The enforcement of a legal code is emphasized in this arena. Narrowing down the concept to American Political thought the politics of America is studied on the basis of comparative politics, international relations, political theory and political science.

There are two main sub fields which are focused by the Political scientists while studying about American political thought; they are the political behavior and the political institutions.  The political behavior is comprised of the public opinion and the voting behavior of the people not excluding the ethnicity and partisanship.

Considering the political institutions, the political scientists mainly focused on the presidency, the public service, the public law, the local and the state politics of the United States. Researchers have vested interest in determining how the change has been made in American political thought over time and what are the factors that initiated change?

Experimenting the foundation for the formation of the United States, there is no democratic system in 1700s as envisioned by founders then who is the source of their inspiration? This question is thought provoking and has toiled in bring out an answer for it. Thomas Hobbes believed that governments were created by people to have some kind of protection. He has revealed his intention in Leviathan which is written during the English Civil war. A strong central government that controls civil, military, judicial, and church activities of the society is urged by Hobbes.

John Locke’s contribution in structuring the governments and social order cannot be ignored. Every individual gives up some rights to preserve social order. Locke is still an icon to be remembered for his social contract theory.

Rousseau who spent most of his life in Paris is another person who published the book “The Social Contract” which has gotten a strong impact in political thought. His argument that “ Man is born free, yet everywhere he is in chains” is still lingering in the minds of people. He dispelled the view that God appointed the King to rule over man. He argued that people are sovereign whose sovereignty is inalienable and indivisible.

Thomas Paine’s monograph Common Sense has created revolution advocating independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolution bringing a new face to the American political thought. There is no doubt that Paines “The Rights of Man and The Age of Reason” have changed the political and social landscaped of the 18^th century. This visionary political thinker is recognized for his political thought throughout the United States.

Questions:

• What are the two main subfields in studying the American Political thought?
• What is the contribution of Thomas Paine in American Revolution?