Jesse Norman

Polemicist of genius

As a cosmopolitan citizen of the world and pioneering opponent of religious superstition, Paine fits perfectly within the modern narrative

issue 10 March 2018

‘We have it in our power to begin the world over again.’ Ronald Reagan made this most unconservative of lines a leitmotif of his 1980 presidential campaign, knowing its radicalism would highlight his energy, personal optimism and desire for change. As it duly did.

The astonishing power over words of its author, Thomas Paine, persists to this day.

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