Yes, I would agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions. In the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen many ideals were unclear in their meaning. Some of them are:

• Women were still not given equal rights as men enjoyed in society. They were regarded as passive citizens.

• The French Revolution could not establish economic equality. There was still a large gap between the upper and lower section of the society.

• All citizens did not get the right to vote. Only men above 25 years, who paid taxes were allowed to vote. To be a member of the Assembly and eligible as an elector, a man had to belong to the highest section of tax payers.

• Slavery existed in France even after the French Revolution.