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Rights of Man (Wordsworth Classics of World Literature)
Rights of Man - Wordsworth Classics of World Literature Author:Thomas Paine With an Introduction by Derek Matravers. The Rights of Man is a classic statement of the belief in humanity's potential to change the world for the better. Published as a reply to Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France, it differs from that great work in every relevant respect. Where Burke uses the language of the governing classes,... more » Paine writes with the vigour of a self-taught mast-maker and exiseman. With passionate and rapier wit, Paine challenges Burke's assertion that society cannot be judged by rational standards and found wanting. Rights of Man contains a fully-costed budget, advocating measures such as free education, old age pensions, welfare benefits and child allowance over 100 years before these things were introduced in Britain. It remains a compelling manifesto for social change.« less