Final answer:
Thomas Paine's argument in Common Sense was that the British government had failed in its duty to the American colonies and that the colonies should be independent.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Paine's argument in Common Sense was that the British government had failed in its duty to the American colonies. He believed that the colonies had outgrown their need for British protection and that they should be independent from England. Paine also argued against hereditary monarchy, stating that there was no justification for a king who didn't prioritize the interests of his subjects. Overall, Common Sense helped to convince many colonists of the need for independence from Great Britain.