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.

Question

John Locke, Second Treatise of Government
Which one is right
• 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.

Answer 1

Based on the excerpt provided, the correct interpretation would be:

• Revolution is a breach of trust perpetrated against the government through illegal actions of citizens.

This is evident from the statement that if the legislative branch of the government exceeds its authority and imposes absolute power over the people, they forfeit the trust given to them and the power devolves back to the people. Therefore, the people have the right to seek their own safety and security by establishing a new legislative body. This implies that the revolution is a response to the breach of trust by the government.

The other two options are not supported by the excerpt. The statement does not suggest that the government must always bend to the will of citizens or that the government has the absolute power to enforce the rule of law by any means.