Thomas Paine, an American living in England, published The Rights of Man (1791). Paine’s book identifies and explores what we think of as a modern concept – and one that is now under threat: the idea of ‘civil rights’. Paine says that people should be able to expect security – of their persons, and of what they own or have access to (like common land), of jobs (job security) and of wages. Tax should be progressive – the rich pay more than the poor. Education should be available and subsidised. There should be universal old-age pensions. Maternity pay. Funded apprenticeships to aid young
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