Disinterestedness and virtuousness… the roots of a perfect politician according to Gordon Wood. In order to develop as a country, leaders need to demonstrate virtuousness and disinterestedness. Gordon Wood argues in his historical work, Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different, that the genuine founders of America employed the qualities of virtuousness and disinterestedness. Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams all entertain these qualities described by Wood. In his thesis, Wood describes the ideal founders, “Gentlemen, who constituted about 5 to 10 percent of the society, were all those at the top of the social hierarchy who were wealthy enough not to have to work, or at least not to have to work with their hands,
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Paine wrote in a tone using different rhetoric than the other founders, but gained attention because he wrote for the common people. Showing his true viewpoints, Paine focused on the truths and sincerity rather than using fancy words obtained from an education. As he did not receive much schooling, Paine was not considered a gentleman; however, his writing was able to persuade people by appealing to the common man. Wood holds Paine on top a pedestal argues his genuine qualities while avoiding the negatives such as his drinking problems. By writing for money and putting his name on the pieces he wrote, Paine proved he was not worthy of the title gentleman; however, in some ways that made him one of the best founders. Wood demonstrates Paine’s disinterestedness at the beginning of the chapter, discussing the lack of interest in America and Americans’ lack of interest in him. Born in Europe in 1737, Paine began with no allegiance to the United States, but after meeting Benjamin Franklin, who introduced Paine to America, Paine began supporting the American Revolution. In some of his writings: The Rights of Man, Common Sense, and other works, Paine discussed events relevant to the common person, aiding the creation of public opinion. Even after supporting the Americans through their revolution, Paine felt little to no allegiance to the country, leaving for
Paine wrote in a tone using different rhetoric than the other founders, but gained attention because he wrote for the common people. Showing his true viewpoints, Paine focused on the truths and sincerity rather than using fancy words obtained from an education. As he did not receive much schooling, Paine was not considered a gentleman; however, his writing was able to persuade people by appealing to the common man. Wood holds Paine on top a pedestal argues his genuine qualities while avoiding the negatives such as his drinking problems. By writing for money and putting his name on the pieces he wrote, Paine proved he was not worthy of the title gentleman; however, in some ways that made him one of the best founders. Wood demonstrates Paine’s disinterestedness at the beginning of the chapter, discussing the lack of interest in America and Americans’ lack of interest in him. Born in Europe in 1737, Paine began with no allegiance to the United States, but after meeting Benjamin Franklin, who introduced Paine to America, Paine began supporting the American Revolution. In some of his writings: The Rights of Man, Common Sense, and other works, Paine discussed events relevant to the common person, aiding the creation of public opinion. Even after supporting the Americans through their revolution, Paine felt little to no allegiance to the country, leaving for