But if we permit our judgment to act unincumbered by the habit of multiplied terms, we can perceive no more than two divisions of power, of which civil government is composed, namely, that of legislating or enacting laws, and that of executing or administering them.
In "Rights of Man," Paine argues for a simplified understanding of civil government's power, dividing it into legislative and executive functions.
Share
More from Thomas Paine
Burke's Book is easily accounted for.--When a man in a wrong cause attempts to steer his course by anything else than some polar truth or principle, he is sure to be lost.
The American constitutions were to liberty what a grammar is to language: they define its parts of speech, and practically construct them into syntax.
Nothing can be more terrible to a Court or Courtier than the Revolution of France.