Thomas Paine (1737–1809) was a British-American political theorist, writer, and revolutionary whose works became pivotal in the American and French Revolutions. Originally from England, Paine emigrated to the American colonies in 1774, where he soon published Common Sense (1776), a fiery pamphlet calling for independence from Britain. Paine’s accessible, straightforward language resonated with ordinary people, fueling revolutionary sentiment. Later, his Rights of Man (1791), a defense of the French Revolution, argued for democratic rights and social equality, making him a radical hero in France but turning him into a political target in Britain. If we consider an analysis from a realist perspective like John Mearsheimer’s in The Great Delusion, Paine’s views might be critiqued as overly idealistic and naive. Mearsheimer argues that liberalism often fails when it seeks to impose values like democracy and individual rights universally, especially in a world of competing national interests. Paine’s revolutionary ideals, which promoted sweeping democratic changes and universal rights, could be seen as disconnected from the realist understanding of international politics and the limits of moral idealism. From Mearsheimer’s viewpoint, Paine’s vision would likely be viewed as too optimistic about human nature and the potential for societal harmony. Mearsheimer might argue that Paine underestimated the enduring power of national self-interest and the challenges of maintaining stable governance in democratic systems. Paine’s revolutionary fervour and trust in universal principles, according to realist critique, overlook the fact that nations often act out of pragmatic interests rather than moral commitments, a reality that tends to challenge idealistic political philosophies. `Concepts:` [[Concepts/Knowledge Base/Politics|Politics]] `Knowledge Base:`