..In America, the law is king. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be king; and there ought to be no other."

--Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776.

Which political concept is MOST closely aligned with the views of Thomas Paine?

The political concept that is most closely aligned with the views of Thomas Paine is the concept of constitutionalism. He believed that the law should be supreme and that the government should be constrained by a written constitution that outlines the rights and liberties of the people. Paine argued against absolute governments where the king's will is the law and instead advocated for free countries where the law is supreme and there is no other authority.

The political concept that is most closely aligned with the views of Thomas Paine, as expressed in the quote you provided, is the concept of constitutionalism. Constitutionalism is the belief in the limitation of governmental power through the establishment of a constitution that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both the government and the citizens. Paine's statement emphasizes the importance of the law as the main governing force in a free country, suggesting that no individual or entity should hold power above the law. This aligns with the principles of constitutionalism, where the constitution serves as the supreme law of the land, ensuring that the government operates within its bounds and protecting the rights of the citizens.