For homework you read the article "We are Radicals at Heart: A New History Gets America Wrong." The author defends the Enlightenment legacy against the another writer, Yuval Levin, who sides with Edmund Burke's critique of the Age of Reason.
The "great debate" between Enlightenment "liberal" Thomas Paine and "conservative" Edmund Burke centered on politics revolution. Paine championed individualism and democracy, while Burke supported social tradition and wanted to maintain order. The author of the article you read, says America's legacy is to keep Paine's radicalism alive. Why does he think this, and whom do you agree with?
36 Comments
Haley Watson
12/7/2013 02:01:41 am
Kaye, the author of the article, believes we must carry Paine's ideals in America. Kaye writes, "For Paine, the struggle was about freedom and democracy and the right of every generation to challenge the way things are and possibly overturn the given order to better realize freedom and democracy."Obviously now we have freedom and democracy, but Paine wouldn't want us to stop there. In order to keep Paine's legacy alive, we must revive it everyday. For example, one of the most debated issues in the country currently is gay rights. Some states, such as New Jersey and New York, have passed the law, but others won't. Paine would want people to keep fighting for this, but Burke would agree with the government to put their foot down in order to maintain tradition and order.In Burke's opinion, why question the law?The law was made to keep society in order. Paine's campaign and our country follow the opposite of Burke's wishes. I agree with Paine because we fought to transform America to achieve freedom and democracy, and we cannot lose it. Radicalism keeps our country alive.If we do not remain radicals, we could transform into a different type of government and lose all rights we have earned.
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Ava Merz
12/10/2013 08:55:56 am
Haley, your comment was really interesting. I liked how to "we must revive it[Paine's legacy] everyday. In my entry I used the word "challenge" and your statement goes right with it. Everyday is a new challenge. You don't know what will happen. If you don't challenge yourself, you would think how would my day be different if I did challenge myself.
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Lauren O'Brien
12/11/2013 07:47:38 am
Haley, I really like how you pointed out we must keep Paine's legacy alive through our everyday lives- not many people would think their typical routines could continue legacies and make changes. As Ava says, every day is different and a new chance to change and keep trying. This idea really opened my eyes to see how society can keep Paine's ways present!
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Jose Montealegre
12/8/2013 11:05:32 am
The author of this article, Kaye, believes that we are radicals at heart, which is something I do agree with. This is because of what he said about Thomas Paine, “He did not become a radical until his arrival in Philadelphia in 1774. Indeed, it was Americans themselves who turned him into a revolutionary and he returned the favor.” Paine was inspired by their enthusiastic spirit that was fighting for their liberty, so greatly he even encouraged them by saying how capable they were of achieving their goals. I believe this devotion for liberty is in everyone in the world, but Americans just crave for it so much more. Society is always changing and so that’s why we must keep Paine’s radicalism alive, for there will eventually be a time when we seek out for reform. Kaye said that every generation deepens freedom, equality, and democracy, and this is true because of all the progress we have made such as racism or gay rights. I hope radicalism will never end because I do agree with America’s legacy of radicalism being very important for us.
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Ricky Wild
12/8/2013 11:56:05 am
The author of this article suggests that it's vital America keeps Paine's radicalism alive in order to preserve freedom, equality, and democracy. The author says, referring to Americans, "-fought to transform America by extending and deepening freedom, equality, and democracy. We have campaigned to separate church and state, abolish slavery, empower labor, secure the equal rights of women and minorities, reduce poverty, protect workers, consumers, and the environment." The author believes that America is ''radical at heart'' because in order to keep democracy, Americans will go to any extreme. In other words, Americans are willing to endure risks and sacrifices to achieve our natural born rights. I believe America is waiting for another Paine, ending the drug prohibition, allowing gay marriage, and defending personal liberties oppressed by the Patriot Act, NSA and countless others spying techniques. Beginning this article, I thought I would lean towards Burke's views. I ended directly between Burke's and Paine's. Though I may be using Burke's philosophy in a different context, I agree with his statements. America should be lead by the constitution, or the order it provides, but enforced or manipulated to maximize freedoms. Our modern government agree's with Burke's views through order and control, but radical views such as Paine's are a necessity to regain the American peoples' rights.
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Aliyyah Godsey
12/8/2013 11:07:43 pm
The Enlightenment was a huge part in mankind's history. Kaye, agreed with Paine who believed that it was important to continue in the world with the Enlightenment way of thinking. He says that if we don’t continue with the Enlightenment then mankind will lose ‘social order’. Paine wanted to restore monarchies and aristocracy. He truly believed that Enlightenment would bring everyone their natural rights, but the Enlightenment not only brought ‘partial’ freedom it created a sort of Utopian society. I can understand Burke’s views in rejecting the spread of political equality, because not everyone can have a say. In a community it’ll be necessary to have people who are somewhat in authority. But I do not agree with Burke when he discredits the ‘spread of reason’. The Enlightenment did a lot for humanity, even though there were bad results that came from the Enlightenment it also changed the thinking of mankind which was desperately needed. Paine wanted freedom and democracy, and he wanted it to be a right for each generation. I agree with his thinking and beliefs but not with the way they get it. By setting up unrealistic standards and by basing everyone on ideals that was hard to live by. Paine believed in many things that would have been great for the human race but by having full Enlightenment it would make a society unbearable to live in.
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Gabby Recalde
12/9/2013 12:17:34 am
I agree with Kaye that America is radical at heart. If you took a look at our history, you would see all of the great changes that have been made to make America what it is. The very formation of our country was started by the radical idea of breaking away from powerful England. We are a country founded by radicals and kept in check by radicalism. We have been a world leader by constantly breaking the scale and going against authority. In short, America has become important by changing the definition of importance.
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Ann Palma
12/9/2013 05:39:16 am
In the article "We are Radicals at Heart: A New History Gets America Wrong," the author, Harvey J. Kaye, argues that America's legacy is to keep Thomas Paine's radicalism alive. He writes, "every generation of Americans...fought to transform America by extending and deepening freedom, equality, and democracy." Throughout their country's birth, Americans have rebelled against government wishes in order to make their homeland better for all. We fought from the beginning of the 1800's to the 1830's until no one was ever allowed to forcibly enslave anyone, regardless of ethnicity. In addition to that, when minorities were denied the equal rights of white men, Americans gave them the freedoms all people deserve. Paine would want people to continue to defend their beliefs until they feel all is right in the world. It's fair to say that America is a country founded on individualism and rebellion. Although, some, like Edmund Burke, would argue that a country of this type is a source of chaos and violence. However, I would tend to agree with Paine's philosophy. Without openly rebelling, it would be so easy to turn America into a dictatorship where the government rules all. Sure, Burke has a point that disagreeing with the status quo does initiate an aspect of harm for the public, for example the Syrian Crisis, however at the same time, radicalism gives the people the power to have an opinion. Government is meant to control people in a way that is positive and helpful to them. So if a government is hurting their country, the citizens should be able to change their representatives in order to benefit themselves. Thomas Paine's idea of individualism keeps America a place of opportunity and equal for all, which should serve as an archetype for all countries to follow.
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Lauren O'Brien
12/11/2013 07:50:31 am
Ann, I love your use of modern day examples to show both Paine and Burke's philosophies. Society needs to continue voicing their opinion- if people begin to quiet down, society could become voiceless. Without Paine's initial ideas stating rebellion is acceptable, this world could be a completely different place, and not for the better.
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Amy Cavallo
12/9/2013 06:41:39 am
I believe that Kaye sides with Paine when it comes to the topic of progress because it's the individualism Paine represents that gives Kaye the right to write and share his different opinions with others who might not agree. Additionally, he mentions that it's, "the right of every generation to challenge the way things are and possibly overturn to given order to better realize freedom and democracy,". Therefore, he believes that change and progress is a way to positively advance the human race. Personally, I completely agree. We all have the right to be skeptical and ask questions regarding decisions previous generations have made, no matter how big or small. For example, if a law is in place and no longer applies to or agrees with the opinions of the people, then citizens have the right to get rid of it and possibly make one that fits with their own beliefs. I think that Burke's ideas would force people to conform to the philosophies of the previous generations, keeping modern thinking centered around ideas of the past and never allowing them to progress or advance the human race. For this reason, I believe Paine's liberal ideas would be better suited for today's people.
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Adel Soliman
12/9/2013 09:26:18 am
As a country with equal rights for women and minorities, protected workers and consumers, separation of church and state, and the abolishment of slavery, we have been able to excel through history as a free nation. As a radicalist American, Paine believe it was a right for every generation to challenge the way things are and change them for the better. Kane agrees with Paine's ideas claiming that as Americans, we are radican at heart. We will always rebel against anything that interferes with our natural rights and will seek change. If Everyone was to follow Burke's ideas of keeping tradition, the government would have stopped Kane from writing his article which is one of the reasons why Kane supports Paine's philosophy. I would side with Paine in this argument. By keeping traditions and staying in the past, you can't experiment with new political styles that may be more efficient than the current one. Also, if no one rebelled to save their rights or demanded change for the better, the government will slowly grow more powerful and cast a shadow over the country controlling everyone in which it would be too late to rebel. By being passive, we lose our voice and sooner or later, our natural born rights.
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Zack Sabat
12/9/2013 09:57:18 am
Harvey Kaye, an American historian and sociologist, who attended the University of London and Rutgers University, agrees and believes in Thomas Paine's "radical-domestic ideas about the purpose and promise of America". He wants to keep radical ideas alive because he believes that protesting and rebelling against unjust government is the best way to change a country for the better. At the end of the article he lists all of the beneficial outcomes that were started by radical people who protested (i.e. abolish slavery, secure the equal rights of women and minorities, protect workers, etc.). He thinks that if we continue to be radical people, more positive outcomes will occur rather than if we remain still under unjust rules or laws. I also agree with Paine and his idea of the radical individuals. I believe that to get what you think is beneficial for a country, the people, of that country, need to rise up and protest to get what they think is right.
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Hannah Christensen
12/9/2013 11:14:19 am
In "We are Radicals at Heart: A New History Gets America Wrong," Harvey Kaye says America's legacy is to keep Paine's radicalism alive. He believes that American's will do anything it takes to keep democracy, thus radicalism. He claims, "every generation of Americans...fought to transform America by extending and deepening freedom, equality, and democracy." Paine encourages questioning society, laws, and the government, while Burke believes more in logic, peace, and obeying all laws set in stone. I agree with Paine because everyone needs to voice an opinion. We all need to understand the standards we are expected to meet, and why. We, as society, also need to act as a check and balance system, and determine whether the laws we are told to follow are constitutional or not. By this, we are taught to have a voice and stand up for what we believe in. For example, if we dislike laws on homosexuality, we must stand up and change them ourselves or else nothing will change. Questioning the world around us creates better people, and more wisdom than logic.
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Lauren O'Brien
12/11/2013 08:31:42 am
Hannah, I completely agree! I think ideas like this are exactly what Thomas Paine is trying to convey to people. If we do not stand up for our rights, it allows someone to come and take over, dictating to society their every move. Thus, we must defend our rights the way Paine intends us to!
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Bridget Kelly
12/9/2013 11:37:47 am
Author Kaye in "We Are Radicals at Heart" discusses the differences between Thomas Paine, a liberal, and Edmund Burke, a conservative's views on how a government should be run.The author, however, takes sides with Paine, telling that government should "extend and deepen freedom, equality, and democracy." The author even refers to Paine's extremely enlightenment idea of "challenging the way things are and possibly overturn the given order to better realize freedom and democracy." Kaye is supporting the idea that everyone should always be evaluating every aspect of their lives, and examining it to try and better their lives and their futures. I agree with this system of of constant evaluating for improving. If teachers and administers did not evaluate the classes and assessments, they will never look to improve our education. Therefore, our children would be just as smart as we are without constantly striving to improve education for the future. The next generations should be better equipped and educated than previous ones, and the only way to insure that they are challenged for the better is to always be looking to challenge our current system. In order to improve our world for the better of ourselves and the next generation, society should constantly be checking for improvements that can be made.
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Eric Banal
12/9/2013 12:55:12 pm
The author, Harvey Kaye, shows in this article that he agrees with the beliefs and morals of Thomas Paine. Paine was a liberal of the Enlightenment and therefore believes in individualism and democracy, which are believed to be individual's rights. I believe that Kaye sides with Paine because he also believes in individual rights. Kaye must be a big supporter of the Constitution's first amendment. The first amendment stated that Americans have their own rights. People can say what they want and believe in what they want without question from authority. Many people at the time of the creation of the Constitution may have disagreed with the thought that people can do what they want. But when you think about it, it is a right that's given the moment we are born. And I think that Kaye doesn't support Burke because Burke believes in conservative Enlightenment morals which is to be reasonable. But I think that Kaye and Paine would disagree with any Conservative because Liberals have their own definition of "reasonable". Kaye probably thinks it's reasonable to have individual rights and be able to support and do what you want. And therefore, I agree with Paine and Kaye.
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Pat Monaghan
12/10/2013 05:51:16 am
Thomas Paine was right in his ideas because he didn’t want to destroy the old ideas he only wanted to build off them. He wanted there to be a new element to everything everywhere you looked and you couldn’t look back after the new one. The author thinks the whole point of Americas legacy is to keep Paine’s radicalism alive because Paine’s Radicalism is what makes America have a legacy. He basically started the revolution against Britain with Common Sense. I agree with Harvey J. Kaye because Paine’s radicalism was what the country needed to make them rebel and thrive. Without Thomas Paine, it would have taken a long time for people to realize they could do something about the British treating them unfairly and maybe we would all still be having teatime at four o’clock every day. And I hate tea. And I’m guessing so did Thomas Paine.
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Jazz Graham
12/10/2013 06:52:25 am
The author of this article, Kaye, agrees with Thomas Paine's idea that we need to question authority and create a democracy, as well as fight for our freedom and rights. We must keep this radicalism alive in order to preserve and protect the individualism and rights we fought for in the past. America has shown our need to keep radicalism alive, by rebelling against some governments, and refusing to be influenced by others. I totally agree with both Thomas Paine and Kaye.
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Amy Thomas
12/10/2013 07:09:18 am
I agree with Kaye, seeing that he sides with Thomas Paine. Paine believes strongly in freedom and democracy which, I think, would be best for our citizens of America today. He also showed Americans "who they were, what they were about, and what they might achieve," so that they could rebel (in the "good" kind of way), and fight for independence, which, in fact, helped a tremendous amount in history. It is why we, today, can live our lives the way we do. I think that if we keep this mind-set strong as Paine did, we can succeed just as well.
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Matt Reardon
12/10/2013 07:31:36 am
Paine was a believer in that our past is not something to throw away carelessly, but to use as a stepping stone for progress. The author suggests that Paine's radical beliefs and actions are the hidden machinations of our country's progress. I am a firm believer in the constant improvement of ourselves to advance society. Kaye sides with Paine in that the people of a country need freedom to improve the rest of their group. Progress is contagious, and I agree with Kaye. Seeing someone else advance themselves sends a little spark into the others that are watching. It lets them know that they share the same freedom to progress. However, this mentality is all credit to Thomas Paine's radicalism. He sent off the American Revolution not only politically, but mentally. Americans were no longer preserved within the borders of their fragile-minded feebleness. Being an American was something to be proud of, and a legacy something to prove to others. Without Paine, Americans would have been scared. Scared of progress, and scared of revolution. Kaye could not have been more correct in following Paine's beliefs. Paine was part of a crucial building block in our country's history, and in America today.
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Cat Ishimasa
12/10/2013 08:10:36 am
In the article We Are Radicals at Heart: A New History Gets America Wrong, author Harvey Kaye believes in the radial ideals of Paine as apposed to the strict beliefs of Burke when it comes to political and social arguments. We see how he is biased toward Paine when in the second paragraph he states, "they were divided into two parties, one advancing the cause of liberty, free markets and individualism, and the other, a "Burkean" politics that ardently and audaciously defended tradition, order, and elitism, to the point, it seemed, of retrospectively opposing even the American Revolution." To the author, Burke is apposed to his own beliefs of what being an American entails. Burke is one who rejects the Enlightenment and wished to stay in the same system of politics that had been carried on years prior to the American Revolution.
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Sophia Mazzini
12/10/2013 08:15:25 am
After reading multiple critiques of the enlightenment including Burke's and Paine's critiques, I have to say that I agree with Paine's critique rather than Burke's. Paine was more focused on moving forward and making improvements. He was the inventor of the term "Age of Reason", which clearly shows his way of thinking. He pushed towards advancements in society and rather than following traditions. Burke, on the other hand, was more of the traditional guy. He said that a monarchy is not a bad thing if it controls the people. He felt everyone needed to be controlled, and if there is no other way, a monarchy would clearly be the best option. I think Burke only felt this way because he did not believe there was another option. If he knew that a democracy, such as the one we have in America today, I feel that he would approve of our governmental system.
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Samantha Reynolds
12/10/2013 08:20:25 am
In this article, Kaye agrees with Thomas Paine’s view on freedom and democracy, which I feel is great thing for a society to have. Thomas Paine wanted people to stand up and fight for their rights by rebelling against the government; proving that everyone should have the same rights, there is no difference. Also, Kaye mentions how we are radical at heart, I totally agree with him, from the very beginning America came from a radical suggestion to break away from Britain. Practically, all of our decisions are radical; we constantly go against authority and do as we please. I defiantly agree with both Kaye and Thomas Paine.
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Anya Carney
12/10/2013 08:30:55 am
In Harvey J. Kaye's, "We are Radicals at Heart: History Gets America Wrong", he is explaining why Thomas Paine's liberal views on government are best for our country. Kaye also critiques writer Yuval Levin's opinion that Edmund Burke's conservative view of social tradition and the want to maintain order was more suited for our government. Kaye writes, "Levin dresses up Burke's argument with talk of tradition, preservation, family, community, and generations, they remain a defense of authority, exploitation, and oppression and a call to accept a status quo benefiting the 1% past or present". So I think that what Kaye is trying to say is that Levin writes and tries to act like his "Burkean" beliefs on politics are the most beneficial, but I have to agree with Kaye and Paine that they are not. I think that having a democracy and being an individual make for the best government; if not, we'd probably be living under something similar to a monarchy. Today, things like age-restricting laws, school, and probably even voting could be different if everyone followed Burke's conservative view and "social tradition". But also, I think that without it we would be too "free". Although I agree much more with Kaye and Paine, I think that Burke and Levin create a good balance for our government.
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Ava Merz
12/10/2013 08:48:33 am
Free thought, freedom, and individualism is what made up the American enlightenment nation. Kaye, showed us how the nation was divided between the ideas of Paine and Burke. He believed that America's legacy was/is to keep Paine's radicalism alive. Paine's main struggle "was about freedom and democracy and the right of every generation to challenge the way things are and possibly overturn the given order to better realize freedom and democracy." The key word in this statement is CHALLENGE. We challenged our nation to fight for our right to freedom and democracy in the Revolutionary War. Why did we have the American Revolution, Burke? Where would we be without it?The Revolution transformed America into a better nation where we have freedom, equality, and are technologically and philosopically advanced. We wouldnt be here without the Revolution. Burke, you want to restore progression. Look at what we have done.
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Mya Alexice
12/10/2013 09:20:57 am
America was a radical idea from the beginning. It introduced checks and balances, a system created for its people, and it was born during the Enlightenment, when all sorts of radical notions were introduced. It's the most radical country in the world, one could argue. We are often the starting point of trends and cultures and traditions, even if we don't realise it. If we lose this aspect of ourselves, we're no different than any other "free" country. I think the author of this understands how incredibly vital it is to keep your uniqueness, your radicalism when we are the focus of many cultures and when everything America does is public and set as a model for others. If America loses its individuality, I'd argue that several countries will go next; a domino effect.
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Katie Carroll
12/10/2013 10:05:49 am
The Enlightenment critique described in the article "We Are Radicals at Heart: A New History Gets America Wrong" that I agree with most is Paine's because of his actions not just his thoughts. Burke is described as "merely sympathizing and proposing piecemeal reforms to the existing systems of exploitation". While Paine is described as "enabling Americans to see who they were, what they were about, and what they might achieve". Paine was considered the prophet of the age of revolution and displayed natural rights and the rights of the living. Paine rallied the people and turn around the ideas that the monarchs were suppressing in this time in history. He made the citizens think about the things that should be "Common Sense" to them and turning the time into a colonial rebellion. I agree with him because he believed in his ideas and too action with them, being a radical for his time. His idea of the Enlightenment was to enlighten the people to his ideas even though the english government did not approve of what he was preaching. Paine's ideas demonstrated freedom and democracy.
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Samantha Quinn
12/10/2013 11:05:30 am
The writer behind “We Are Radicals at Heart: A New History Gets America Wrong”, Harvey J. Kaye, expresses that he believes it is America’s legacy to keep Thomas Paine beliefs present. After all, this thinker helped mold our country into what it is today with his writings. Kaye argues his ideas are used daily which is very true. For example, we have the right to make a change in the government or in any aspect of life if it is not working. This is the only way to country function without complete chaos. Burke on the other hand, was not Kaye’s favorite thinker as his opinions differed from Paine. Before hearing the author’s opinion, I probably would have agreed more with Burke, however I agree that Paine’s ideas are more useful today. Burke believed in following traditions yet the “traditions” we might have followed could be mistakes being made numerous times. I think that having the freedom to change and fix our leadership is more beneficial. Paine has greatly impacted our country when it first began and for years to come.
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Shannon Burke
12/10/2013 11:35:38 am
In “We are Radicals at Heart: A New History Gets America Wrong”, the author, Kaye, defends the Enlightenment legacy against another critique by Yuval Levin which sides with Burke. Though we share a last name, I 100% agree with Kaye’s argument for Paine, who believed in individualism and democracy. The things that Paine points out, individualism and democracy are necessary in order to live in a society where the government doesn’t have all of the power. Without radicalism, our society would not be able to progress, we would be stripped of everything that makes us unique, and all of our power would be placed in the corrupt system of government in place. I think Paine knew that we would eventually reach a point where we have achieved our goals, but in order for his legacy to remain alive, we have to keep moving forward and rebelling. It is the only way possible to advance our society. Burke would have encouraged letting the government take care of all of the decisions, bounding us to the ground and not being able to escape. This system failed miserably in the past, so why does anyone think that it could possibly work years after it took down the most powerful government in the world during the American Revolution. Today, we have bestowed our government with way too much power. With the “sneak and peek” warrants and the NSA, we are beginning to go into a downward spiral. In order for this to stop, we need to stand up against the unjust government. We need to “dare to know” what could happen if we put our mind to something for progress of society in general.
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Sean Provost
12/10/2013 08:25:18 pm
I agree with the author Kaye, Paine's beliefs to run a government is the right choice. Paine believed in a democratic government which is obviously run by the people and that change it good, that change is bound to happen. Burke on the other hand thought that the government should make neutral and gradual changes to conform for the people. He thought by using a monarchy it would be easier to control the people and make those slow changes. I don't think Burke realized that democracy is a great mix of Paine's ideas with his own which could make a better government. Using Paine's radicalism was one of the reasons for our country's great progress, therefore keeping it alive will help our country to continue to move forward.
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Jose Ramirez
12/10/2013 11:57:20 pm
I agree with Kaye's idea that America should keep Paine's radicalism alive. Paine's ideas on the individual and democracy appear to be ideas more towards what enlightenment tried to do. This is because Burke's ideas on keeping control appear to me more of what kings and Monarchs wanted, that being maintaining control over everything. Paines idea on the individual appear to contribute more to what the enlightenment philsophers tried to escape from, and that being total order and control. In today's society, America appears to be losing that because its becoming more centered on politics and order. Kaye's idea that America's legacy needs to keep radicalism alive is important because it focuses more on the individual instead of having order. It one of the reasons why America was able to grow and become sucessful because democracy focused on the individual instead of just maintaining social tradition and order. It brought ideas of natural rights and a government governed by the people. Thomas Paine's ideas of democracy and the indivdual should be kept in Americas legacy to keep it prospering.
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Liv Winnicki
12/11/2013 03:15:20 am
the history of America starts later than european countries and the enlightenment reached us later than Europe. But through out history enlightenment has been happening even if it is not classified under the enlightenment era. Our founding fathers such as Ben Franklin were enlightenment people. And as our generations on this continent go on we have to respect the enlightenment that occurs in each of these generations. each generation is striving to be the greatest with their new ideas and new opinions. we should respect each generations individuality. like burke says. i agree with her views on this. but Paine argues that BUrke "pities the plumage of a queen and forgets the common people " and that makes sense too to me. i am very in between on these views, because i am very much left brain and rigt brain, although i am more right brain. The Enlightenent makes sense to me and the idea of preserving generations does too.
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Lauren O'Brien
12/11/2013 07:44:45 am
The United States of America is a country founded on radicalism. In the 1700s, when the country is officially born, it is created through radicalism and revolution. America thrives for centuries through this lifestyle and the American people prosper from it. Thomas Paine, the man who suggests Americans are radicals, is correct. In his works, he describes how Americans must defend their freedoms, and if those rights are violated they must rebel; this is the duty of the people. Edmund Burke, another renowned philosopher, says the opposite, that countries must return to monarchial rule and societies without rights. Burke says this because he lives at a time where this lifestyle is functional; society may not be happy, but the rule is effective. He abhors radicalism because he does not live to see a radical government succeed. However, if he sees the American government and revolution, he will recant his statements and agree with Paine. No, not all radical governments succeed- but not all monarchies last, either. Also, if the American government, which is run in its distinct way for centuries, tries to revert to monarchies, it will fail. The people will deplore their unjust society and many will suffer from the abrupt and dramatic change in rights. Nevertheless, philosopher Thomas Paine is correct in his beliefs which Americans and other governments must be formed through radicalism.
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Will Cronin
12/11/2013 10:17:50 am
America is a country based off of the ideals of radicalism. In the 18th century, the country defied the king and proclaimed that people had natural rights that couldn't be violated. Harvey Kaye, the author of the article, says that America's legacy is to keep Paine's radicalism alive. He believes this because he goes on to say, "In Paine you find a fellow citizen whose radical-domestic ideas about the purpose and promise of America you already embrace, for Paine himself inscribed them in the very foundations of the nation". Essentially, this is saying that Paine's radical thoughts and ideas contributed to the creation of America. Edmund Burke, another renowned philosopher, says the opposite, that countries must return to monarchial rule and societies without rights. However, he only says this because he has not seen a radical government succeed before. Though radical governments may not always succeed, neither do monarchies. Ultimately, Thomas Paine is right in his judgment which Americans and other governments must be formed through radicalism.
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Jack Anderson
12/12/2013 10:31:28 am
The idea that America's legacy is to preserve Paine's radicalism is definitely supported by major events in United States history, but I don't think that it can qualify as a legacy. The American Revolution, the drafting of the Constitution, the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and even today with the War on Terror, America has it's fair share of rebellious actions. Maybe to historians or other countries America may seem like a radical, unpredictable power-house of a nation, but I think there's much more underneath the country than that. Relative to countries like Great Britain, France, Spain, and other European and Asian countries, the United States is still a fairly young nation. However, more towards Edmund Burke's point, we still have a lot of traditions. To the newly formed third world countries of the world, America is a role model. Since we've become so influential we have this reputation to upkeep so we create respectable practices and traditions and stick to them. Perhaps a tradition of America is to be radical.
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Brian Chamberlain
1/23/2014 12:36:30 pm
In Harvey Kaye's article "We Are All Radicals at Heart", he says America's legacy is to keep Thomas Paine's radicalism alive. He describes Paine's views as "revolutionary, clear minded, and firmly grounded". He talks about how Paine wanted people to challenge injustice, act on problems they saw in society, and make their own destiny. Kaye contrasts these views with those of Edmund Burke. Burke he explains merely sympathized with the injustices that he saw. Unlike Paine, he did nothing to change them. Burke was more of a maintain order kind of guy. Paine a man of action. As an American, I have to side with Paine. American's believe they can change anything. We have grown up being taught that hard work and determination will get you anywhere you want to go. See something that you don't like? Work to change it. It can happen in American society. The one thing that I do not like about the description of Thomas Paine is that the word radical is attached to him. In my mind being radical is negative. Radical is crazy, out there thinking. I prefer when Harvey Kaye refers to him as revolutionary. That sounds better to me.
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