American Revolution, from a left perspective.

[Susurrus]

Is there any merit to be found in the philosophies of the early American political intellectuals and founding fathers from a leftist perspective? I haven't read much of Paine, but I've heard he's good, and some have pointed to some of Jeffersons writings as tinged with socialism...

This is, of course, excluding the whole transition from feudal/monarchical stage to capitalist stage thing.

[Weezer]

They invented human rights along with the revolutionaries of the French Revolution of 1789.

[Sensible Socialist]

The "life, liberty, property" spiel was certainly better than a monarchy, although they were firmly set in an early capitalist mindset. These were rich men, and wanted to progress from an authoritarian monarch to a society in which the interests of the money-makers (merchants, plantation owners, etc.) could be elevated above traditional power. Certainly not socialists, as we would think of them today, especially considering many were slave-owners. But, judging them in the context of their day, they weren't the least progressive of the lot. Their ideas inspired others to rebel against monarchs, albiet with the goal of replacing them with capitalism.

[aworldsman]

I think Zinn's History would answer that nicely for you.

[Susurrus]

I think Zinn's History would answer that nicely for you.

Haven't gotten to that part of it yet, had to skip a bunch of it, and am reading it from the beginning sporadically.