Episode Details

Luke talks with Gary Berton about Thomas Paine, including why the U.S. doesn’t fit Paine’s definition of democracy, why Paine argued against the Constitution, the importance of the 1776 Pennsylvania Constitution, and the significance of a forthcoming six-volume set of Paine’s writings that includes previously unpublished works. In the interview, Luke mentions Gary’s article, “Burying Thomas Paine,” and Jonathan Israel’s book, The Expanding Blaze. Gary also mentions Luke’s article, “Tom Paine and Democratic Republicanism.”

Gary is an Officer for the Thomas Paine National Historical Association, a volunteer-run organization dedicated to Paine’s works. The Association is the oldest historic association for a Founder, established in 1884. Its members are the authority on the life, works, and legacy of Paine, and have been assisting scholars and authors for decades.