Thomas Paone's Common Sense
Thomas Paone (1920–1997) was an American author, editor, and publisher best known for his work in the realm of libertarian and individualist literature. He served as the editor of The Freeman, a prominent libertarian magazine published by the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE), during the 1950s and 1960s. Paone was instrumental in promoting classical liberal ideas, free-market economics, and critiques of statism through his writing and editorial choices.
His most notable contribution to political philosophy is the 1966 book Common Sense: The Philosophy of Perennial Common Sense, published by the Ralph Myles Publisher (a small press he co-founded). This slim volume (around 100 pages) serves as a concise manifesto distilling the principles of libertarianism into straightforward, accessible language. It's often described as a modern echo of Thomas Paine's 1776 pamphlet Common Sense, which ignited the American Revolution with its call for independence from tyranny. Paone's work updates this spirit for the 20th century, arguing against government overreach and for individual sovereignty.
Key Themes and Structure
Paone structures the book around "perennial common sense"—timeless truths that he believes are self-evident but frequently ignored by intellectuals and policymakers. The text is divided into short, punchy chapters covering:
- The Nature of Man and Society: Humans are rational beings capable of voluntary cooperation without coercive authority. Paone draws on natural law traditions (e.g., John Locke) to assert that rights are inherent, not granted by the state.
- Critique of the State: Government is portrayed as a necessary evil at best, often devolving into a monopoly on violence that stifles innovation and personal freedom. He famously quips, "The state is the great fiction by which everyone tries to live at the expense of everyone else" (echoing Frédéric Bastiat).
- Economics and Freedom: Free markets are defended as the spontaneous order arising from individual choices. Paone lambasts welfare statism, central planning, and fiat money as assaults on common sense.
- Moral Foundations: Emphasizes personal responsibility, voluntary charity over forced redistribution, and the ethical imperative of non-aggression.
The book's tone is direct and unapologetic, blending humor, anecdotes, and logical arguments. It's written for the layperson, avoiding jargon to make complex ideas digestible—much like Paine's original.
Historical Context and Impact
Published amid the Cold War and the rise of the Great Society programs under Lyndon B. Johnson, Common Sense resonated with a growing anti-interventionist movement. Paone, influenced by thinkers like Ayn Rand, Murray Rothbard, and F.A. Hayek (whom he published in The Freeman), positioned the book as a tool for awakening public skepticism toward expanding government.
While not a bestseller, it has endured as a cult classic in libertarian circles. It's been reprinted sporadically and cited in works by modern libertarians like Ron Paul and Hans-Hermann Hoppe. The book influenced the formation of libertarian study groups and remains recommended reading in FEE's educational materials.
Excerpt: On Taxation
One memorable passage illustrates Paone's style:
"Taxation is theft, pure and simple. If a stranger came to your door and demanded half your income under threat of imprisonment, you'd call the police. Yet when the government does it, we call it 'civic duty.' Common sense demands we recognize the hypocrisy."
Availability
- Editions: Original 1966 hardcover; later paperbacks via Ralph Myles (out of print but available used on sites like AbeBooks or Amazon for $10–50).
- Digital: Free PDF scans circulate on libertarian archives (e.g., Mises Institute library), though for legal copies, check FEE's online store.
- Related Works: Paone also edited The Libertarian Idea (1970s anthology) and contributed essays to The Freeman.
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