It lies not in any natural defect in the principles of civilisation, but in preventing those principles having a universal operation; the consequence of which is, a perpetual system of war and expense, that drains the country, and defeats the general felicity of which civilisation is capable.
Paine argues in "Rights of Man" that the failures of civilization stem not from its inherent principles, but from the obstruction of their universal application, leading to conflict and economic drain.
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To possess ourselves of a clear idea of what government is, or ought to be, we must trace it to its origin.
Many of the facts were in themselves principles; such as the declaration of American Independence, and the treaty of alliance between France and America, which recognised the natural rights of man, and justified resistance to oppression.