>>most of the best leaders would stick with the existing social compact.
Yes. The existing social compact needs some shaking up doesn't it?
Thomas Paine and many of his cohorts of that era thought that periodic upheaval is a necessary ingredient if The Rights of Man are to be realized.
The notion that the ideas and mores of one generation would pass on without scrutiny to ensuing generations was odious to him.
Ditto with privilege and wealth. No passing along. Each generation should pick its own leaders.
He was even doubtful about the wisdom of legal precedents. We've seen many times that legal decisions made a hundred years ago are not relevant and do little more than protect vested interests.

He'd be shuddering if he saw all the politicians we now have who have been in office for several decades and are stifling change.

We haven't had a good shakeup here since the 1930's and Thomas would be at the barricades!