Question

5 Would you agree with the view that the message
of universal rights was beset with contradictions?
Explain.​

Answer 1

Answer:

Yes, the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions: ... For example, "the law has the right to forbid only actions injurious to society" had nothing to say about criminal offences against other individuals. The declaration stated that "law is the expression of the general will.

Answer 2

Yes, the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions:

Many ideas in the "Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen" were replete with dubious meanings. For example, "the law has the right to forbid only actions injurious to society" had nothing to say about criminal offences against other individuals.

The declaration stated that "law is the expression of the general will. All citizens have the right to participate in its formation…All citizens are equal before it", but when France became a constitutional monarchy, almost 3 million citizens including men who did not pay sufficient taxes, women and men under the age of 25 were not allowed to vote at all.

Hence, by these universal rights poor were suppressed. Constitution was only available for the rich. Women were totally neglected in decision making.