William Thompson's "An Inquiry into the Principles of the Distribution of Wealth" is an influential work that argues for a more equitable distribution of wealth based on the principle that labor is the sole source of wealth.
One of Thompson's most persuasive moves is his appeal to natural law. He argues that every individual has a natural right to the full product of their labor, and that any system that denies this right is unjust.
Thompson's argument resonates with Tom's characterization in a number of ways. Tom is a strong advocate for equality and justice, and he believes that everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed. He is also suspicious of authority and power, and he often challenges the status quo.
Thompson's ideas also influenced the development of socialist thought. His work helped to lay the foundation for the labor theory of value, which argues that the value of a commodity is determined by the amount of labor required to produce it.