Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
Overview
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen is a fundamental document of the French Revolution
, defining the individual and collective rights of all the estates of the realm
as universal. Influenced by the doctrine of "natural right
", the rights of man are held to be universal
: valid at all times and in every place, pertaining to human nature
itself. Although it establishes fundamental rights for French citizens and "all the members of the social Body", it addresses neither the status of women nor slavery; despite that, it is a precursor document to international human rights instruments
.
The last article of Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was adopted 26 August 1789 by the National Constituent Assembly
(Assemblée nationale constituante), during the period of the French Revolution, as the first step toward writing a constitution for France.
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, defining the individual and collective rights of all the estates of the realm
Estates of the realm
The Estates of the realm were the broad social orders of the hierarchically conceived society, recognized in the Middle Ages and Early Modern period in Christian Europe; they are sometimes distinguished as the three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and commoners, and are often referred to by...
as universal. Influenced by the doctrine of "natural right
Natural rights
Natural and legal rights are two types of rights theoretically distinct according to philosophers and political scientists. Natural rights are rights not contingent upon the laws, customs, or beliefs of any particular culture or government, and therefore universal and inalienable...
", the rights of man are held to be universal
Universality (philosophy)
In philosophy, universalism is a doctrine or school claiming universal facts can be discovered and is therefore understood as being in opposition to relativism. In certain religions, universality is the quality ascribed to an entity whose existence is consistent throughout the universe...
: valid at all times and in every place, pertaining to human nature
Human nature
Human nature refers to the distinguishing characteristics, including ways of thinking, feeling and acting, that humans tend to have naturally....
itself. Although it establishes fundamental rights for French citizens and "all the members of the social Body", it addresses neither the status of women nor slavery; despite that, it is a precursor document to international human rights instruments
International human rights instruments
International human rights instruments are treaties and other international documents relevant to international human rights law and the protection of human rights in general...
.
The last article of Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was adopted 26 August 1789 by the National Constituent Assembly
National Constituent Assembly
The National Constituent Assembly was formed from the National Assembly on 9 July 1789, during the first stages of the French Revolution. It dissolved on 30 September 1791 and was succeeded by the Legislative Assembly.-Background:...
(Assemblée nationale constituante), during the period of the French Revolution, as the first step toward writing a constitution for France.
Unanswered Questions
