Final answer:
Thomas Paine distinguished European monarchies, which operated on dynastic succession and often resulted in tyranny, from republics that valued popular sovereignty and elected representation, such as the governed state he envisioned for America after its independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Paine, in his influential work Common Sense, drew a clear distinction between European monarchies and republics. In monarchies, there was a dynastic succession, where rulership passed down through a single family lineage, often leading to chronic conflicts. Paine critiqued the tyrannical tendencies of monarchies, exemplified by King George III's rule over the American colonies. He noted that monarchs were beholden to traditions and often failed to adequately represent the needs of their subjects. Paine advocated for a republic—a state without a king—where elected representatives govern in place of a hereditary monarch. This system would be based on the principles of republicanism, emphasizing popular sovereignty, where the citizens themselves hold the power to choose their leaders and assert majority rule. Additionally, republicanism required civic virtue and the belief that the ownership of property was a measure of an individual's stake in society. Thus, Paine's vision for an American republic was grounded in the idea that governance should reflect the will and the virtues of the people, abandoning the monarchy's inherent elitism and bias towards dynastic rule.