Resistance to Tyranny

We have seen that, according to Locke, it is possible even within a well-ordered commonwealth for there to be a conflict between the executive and legislative powers of government, or between either or both of these and the people at large, and that when this occurs there is a crisis of constitutional government. This is because there is no means for resolving this conflict within the framework of the original constitution. Locke describes this crisis in several ways, though all of his terms refer to the same political situation. In relation to the political system as a whole, the form of government has dissolved because power is no longer in the hands of those individuals or institutions to whom it was originally given by the community, or because those entrusted with that power have forfeited their trust by acting contrary to the precepts of natural law. Viewed as a conflict between the legislative and executive powers over the amount of power allotted to each or the purposes for which it is to be used, it can be said that a state of war exists between them, since there is no authority superior to both that can act as a judge to resolve their differences. Seen from the perspective of the people, what is significant is that political power has now returned into their hands, and they are free to constitute a new form of government, and to provide for their own safety and self-defence. All of these propositions are integral elements of Locke’s theory of revolution.