Final answer:
Thomas Paine argued that a relationship with Britain was detrimental because the British government failed in its duty to the colonists, neglected their rights, and stifled their economic growth, hence advocating for an independent American republic based on popular sovereignty.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Paine believed that a continued relationship with Britain would be detrimental to the American colonists because the British government had failed in its duty to the people, prioritizing its own interests over those of the colonies. In his pamphlet Common Sense, Paine articulated that the concept of hereditary monarchy was unjustified and that equality was a natural state for humans. He argued that since the king was not addressing the needs of his subjects, the American colonies had no reason to remain under British rule. Additionally, British policies inhibited economic growth by restricting trade and imposing taxes without representation. Paine's vision for an American republic was built on the ideals of popular sovereignty and representative government, contrasting sharply with the British monarchy and imperial policies that had evolved from a period of salutary neglect to one of oppressive control.