What can citizens do when government breaches social contract according to Locke and Jefferson?

• A. Alter and abolish it
• B. Petition the government
• C. Nothing
• D. Support the government

Answer: (A)

When government breaches the social contract, citizens may alter and abolish it. Locke argues that the government exists to protect natural rights like life, liberty, and property, and if it fails or becomes destructive, the people have the right to dissolve that government and establish a new one more likely to safeguard those rights. Jefferson echoes this idea in the Declaration, asserting that when a government persists in abuses, the people have the right to alter or abolish it and institute a new form of government. This highlights a fundamental principle: the legitimacy of government rests on its ability to serve the people; when that trust is broken, more than mere petitioning is warranted, and supporting a failing regime would continue the tyranny.