At the origins of feminism: Ideas of Olympe de Gouges in the context of radical egalitarian doctrines of the French Revolution (1789–1794)

Abstract

The article aims to present and analyze political and legal thought of Olympe de Gouges, a French revolutionary activist, who is considered one of the most important precursors of modern feminism. Her writings should be situated in the context of radical egalitarian doctrines, influential during the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. The paper also shows an impact of this pre-feminist thought on the private and public law of the Revolution. Las part is devoted to a comparison of de Gouges’ ideas with some contemporary feminist discourses.