democratic rights ideology (early Meiji era)
Refers to the political thought advocating for popular rights and constitutional government during the early Meiji period (1870s–1880s). A historical term.
The democratic rights ideology was the theoretical backbone of the political movement in the early Meiji era.
Itagaki Taisuke was a leading figure who advocated the democratic rights ideology.
The broader social and political movement for democratic rights, of which 自由民権論 is the ideological component.
Compound of 自由 (freedom), 民権 (civil rights), and 論 (theory/discourse). The term emerged in the early Meiji period as part of the movement for popular rights.