Appendix II-I
Drafting the Declaration of the
Rights of Man and of the Citizen: A
Readers' Theater Script
Narrator:
Realizing the fundamental importance of their task, two framers of the Declaration of the
Rights of Man and of the Citizen are discussing the basic ideas that should be included. They
will present these to the National Assembly in the morning.
To help them, Marc and Jacques reach for a number of well-worn volumes, which contain the
words of those who have struggled with the issues of liberty, democracy, and equality in
times past--men like Aristotle, Pericles, Locke, Montesquieu, and their friend, Thomas
Jefferson.
Marc:
Jacques:
We must justify the need to change, Jacques, in our opening statement. The people need to
see the logic, the reason that forces us to change from a mo~archy based on divine right to
one based on a constitution.
Yes! The American Declaration of Independence does so. Here, listen.
Jefferson:
"When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the
political bands which have connected them with another. . . they should declare the causes
which impel them to the separation."
Marc:
But Thomas Jefferson was not the first to say such things! So did some of the ancients. . .
and so did our philosophes!
Jacques:
Quite right. But let us begin with a basic question: Why, if men are born free, do they want
to form governments? Let's see what Aristotle had to say.
Aristotle:
"Men. . . are drawn together by a common interest. . . . They come together, and form and
maintain political associations for the sake of life."
NOTE: This readers' theater script is adapted from a script written by Claire Zeni.
Marc:
Here! Locke carried that idea even further.
Locke:
"All men are naturally in a state of perfect freedom to order their actions and dispose of their
possessions and persons as they think fit. . . . They unite for the mutual preservation of their
lives, liberties and estates, which I call by the general name of property. "
Jacques:
Marc:
O.K., Marc. Write this for Article I: Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.
And for Article II: The aim of every political association is the preservation of the natural and
imprescriptable rights of men. These rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to
oppression.
But who gives the government its powers?
Jacques:
Again, let us look at Jefferson. . .
Marc:
Jefferson:
"Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the
governed."
'"
..'
'-'
Jacques:
Marc:
Jacques:
Article III: The source of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation, Nobody, no
individual may exercise authority which does not emanate from it.
And laws? What kind of laws should this govenunent be able to make?
Pericles reminds us , , .
Pericles:
Marc:
"Our constitution is named a democracy because it is in the hands not of the few but of the
many. . . . Our laws secure equal justice for all."
And Locke, too. . .
Locke:
Jacques:
"Laws are made and rules are set as guards and fences to the properties of all the
members of the society."
Don't forget Rousseau! Laws must favor all equally.
Rousseau:
Marc:
Jacques:
Marc:
"The social compact establishes among the citizens an equality . .
every act of the General Will binds or favors equally all citizens."
. every act of sovereignty,
All rights, then, Article V should read: The law may forbid only those actions harmful to
society. . . No one may' be compelled to do what it does not conunand.
And how about this for Article VI: Law is the expression of the General Will . . . It must be
the same for all.
Jacques:
Locke:
'-'
What if a government no longer obeys the General Will?
Well, then, the contract that binds the nation to its government is broken. Both Locke and
Jefferson say it so well. . .
Jefferso
n:
Jacques
:
/
"Whensoever the government shall. . . endeavor to grasp themselves, or put into the hands of
any other, an absolute power over the lives, liberties, and estates of the people; by this breach
of trust they forfeit the power the people had put into their hands for quite contrary ends.
Government devolves to the people."
"Whenever any form of government becomes destructive. . . it is the right of the people to
alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, lying its foundation on such principles
and organizing its power in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety
and happiness."
This Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen truly upholds the principles for
which this Revolution stands!
Narrator:
The Declaration ofthe Rights of Man and of the Citizen was accepted by the National
Assembly in August, 1789, and attached to the Constitution of 1791 as a preamble.