In all cases they took care to represent government as a thing made up of mysteries, which only themselves understood; and they hid from the understanding of the nation the only thing that was beneficial to know, namely, That government is nothing more than a national association adding on the principles of society.
In "Rights of Man," Paine argues that traditional governments deliberately obscured their true nature to maintain power, which he defines as a simple national association.
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It has nothing to dread from attacks; truth has given it an establishment, and time will record it with a name as lasting as his own.
They form a common policy throughout Europe, detached and separate from the interest of Nations: and while they appear to quarrel, they agree to plunder.
In fine, society performs for itself almost everything which is ascribed to government.