Massey Lecture 2: The six years that remade human rights

Olympe de Gouges' "Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen" is a powerful feminist text that challenges the exclusion of women from the rights outlined in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. It directly addresses the hypocrisy of a society that allows women to be executed but denies them political participation. The declaration asserts the equality of women and men, advocating for their equal rights in all aspects of life, from political representation to property ownership. It highlights the injustices faced by women and calls for a society where gender equality is not just a principle but a reality. The document remains a landmark achievement in feminist thought and continues to inspire movements for gender equality worldwide.

In this autobiography, Olaudah Equiano recounts his life from being kidnapped in Africa to becoming a free man in Britain. The narrative explores themes of slavery, cultural identity, and spiritual transformation, playing a significant role in shaping public opinion against the slave trade. Equiano's work is considered foundational in the genre of slave narratives.

In 'The Social Contract', Jean-Jacques Rousseau outlines a theory of government where the legitimacy of political authority stems from the consent of the governed. The book begins with the famous line 'Man is born free, but he is everywhere in chains,' highlighting the tension between natural freedom and the constraints of societal laws. Rousseau argues that a legitimate state is formed when citizens enter into a social contract, surrendering some of their natural rights in exchange for civil rights and the protection of the general will. The general will, a collective idea of the common good, is central to Rousseau's theory, and he advocates for a system where the people, as the sovereign, make decisions directly and where laws ensure liberty and equality. The work has been influential in shaping modern political thought and has played a significant role in the French Revolution and the development of democratic principles.