What brought about the American Revolution: economics or political ideology?

I would say that it was a combination of economics and political ideology, however economics is usually a large factor in everything so let's go with that.

As for Paine's "Common Sense", it was spreading an ideology that revolution in the American colonies were inevitable and that it was unjust for England, being so many miles away across the Atlantic, should control the America's fate. He also stated that America should exist for its own benefit, however being a colony this makes you subscribe to a mercantile economy where the existence of your colony was for the benefit of the mother country (in this case Britain).

The Declaration of Independence also has a list of "Grievances" against King George III. They basically stated that his rule was unjust and the representation and taxation system was unjust as well.

As for economics, I'm sure you've heard of "No taxation without representation". Taxation was a big part of the rebelling of the Americans (even though they paid fewer taxes than the British). They thought, if we are being taxed, we should have a say in the English parliament, which they did not.

Good luck!

American Revolution Economics

Following the French and Indian War the colonialists wanted to move to the frontier for a fresh start. However, the Proclamation of 1763, made this illegal and those who had moved there were expected to leave. Thomas Paine's Common Sense said in articles read by the common people that when a King (George III) disallowed any representation the colonists had a right to rebel. Taxes were imposed without this representation and the colonials thought this was wrong - and said so. Economically, the colonies were interested in trading with other nations and Britain said no. The economy of America was gaining strength and the trade with other countries would certainly been beneficial for the colonials. Cities were getting larger, and farmers were wanting to see what kind of living they could make in town rather than the lonely back breaking work on the farm. Many of the small farms were subsistence farms and did not bring in money to pay their bills. Politically, the colonists wanted to run their own local and colonial government without the British being in control. The citizens thought of themselves as being capable enough to run their own affairs and not rely on being told what to do by a government 3,000 miles away.