Whensoever therefore the legislative shall transgress this fundamental rule of society; and either by ambition, fear, folly or corruption, endeavour 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, and it devolves to the people, who have a right to resume their original liberty, and, by the establishment of a new legislative, (such as they shall think fit) provide for their own safety and security, which is the end for which they are in society.
John Locke, Second Treatise of Government
• Revolution is a breach of trust perpetrated against the government through illegal actions of citizens.
• The government must always bend to the will of citizens so as to maintain legitimacy.
The government has the power to use any means necessary to enforce the rule of law.
1 answer
This statement does not align with the ideas expressed in the excerpt from John Locke's Second Treatise of Government. According to Locke, if the legislative branch of the government exceeds its authority and seeks to establish absolute power over the people, they commit a breach of trust. In such a scenario, the people have the right to reclaim their liberty and establish a new legislative body for their safety and security. Locke's perspective emphasizes the importance of limiting the power of government and holding it accountable to the people.