Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

Today's democratic systems are based on some general principles, such as the equality before the law, the separation of powers, freedom of expression or popular sovereignty. All this has as one of its historical precedents a fundamental and key text in the history of the Western world in recent centuries: the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789.

Historic context

The drafting of this document cannot be understood outside the paradigm of the French Revolution. This historical episode marked, in a nutshell, the end of the absolute monarchy in France and the privileges of the higher classes.

In 1789 the French people rebelled against the established monarchy and after a revolutionary process launched a parliamentary and constitutional regime that represented the general will.

From a philosophical point of view, the Declaration was inspired by the ideals of the Enlightenment. In this weather intellectual new ideas were raised: the critique of right divine, secularism, the autonomy of reason and natural rights.

A brief analysis of the content of the DDHC

Essential concepts that any current democratic society assumes were embodied: inalienable rights or natural rights. Principles were introduced that we now accept with all normality, but which in their day were novel and revolutionaries: that men are born free and equal and that freedom of expression is a fundamental axis in any democratic society.

These values ​​were concretely embodied in the abolition of slavery, in the freedom of the press, in the eradication of any social or economic privilege and in secularism.

In the same statement it was emphasized that laws should be the expression of the general will. On the other hand, another essential value was also embodied, the rule of law. This implies that respect for the law is the only criterion for organizing life in society.

At the beginning of the document it is explicitly clarified that the non-respect of the drafted rights is the fruit of all public disgrace and government corruption. The intention here is to be a reference text for the Constitution of any government.

From subjects to citizens

The French Revolution represented the end of the Old Regime and, consequently, the eradication of the privileges of some social classes. In the model of the old regime, society was divided into three classes: the clergy, the nobility and the common people.

With the arrival of the French Revolution these distinctions were overcome and the criterion of citizenship. In short, equal rights were imposed throughout society without any kind of distinction or privilege.

Photos: Fotolia - Erica Guilane-Nachez / Keryann