The civil wars which have originated from contested hereditary claims, are more numerous, and have been more dreadful, and of longer continuance, than those which have been occasioned by election.
From "Rights of Man," Paine argues against hereditary succession by highlighting the historical instability it causes compared to elective systems.
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The Parliaments on their part insisted that they had not only a right to remonstrate, but to reject; and on this ground they were always supported by the nation.
The more it is struck the more sparks it will emit; and the fear is it will not be struck enough.
Man cannot, properly speaking, make circumstances for his purpose, but he always has it in his power to improve them when they occur, and this was the case in France.