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Would you agree with the view that the message of universal ri... - India And The Contemporary World – I
Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions? Explain.
Yes, the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions:
Exclusion of Women: The "Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen" applied primarily to men. Women were denied basic political rights and were treated as passive citizens.
Slavery: While the declaration stated that "men are born and remain free," it did not abolish slavery in the French colonies immediately. The National Assembly hesitated to ban slavery fearing opposition from businessmen who depended on the slave trade.
Voting Rights based on Wealth: Despite the claim of equality, the Constitution of 1791 divided citizens into "active" (wealthy taxpayers) and "passive" (the poor). Only active citizens were given the right to vote, contradicting the idea of universal equality.