when is revolution justified?

Answer 1

When govt. becomes an impediment to the well being of the people, no matter what the form, the question of revolution comes to mind. This question has even been raised today in this country. This happens when the people no longer feel that they are represented in the decisions of govt. We are dangerously close to that now, and it is up to us to take our govt. back, before it is completely gone, from the rich and powerful who have taken it while we slept. The following is excerpted from the lips of those who made that decision here in 1776.

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. —

Answer 2

What is the meaning of life?

Just kidding, but your question is a little broad. Various people have different ideas what justifies a revolution. Two great documents to read are the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of the Rights of Man(from the French Revolution)

More modernly anything by Gandhi or Nelson Mandela are good.

Answer 3

If the government designed by the people is failing we the people have the right to dismend and create a better one. Locke declared that under natural law, all people have the right to life, liberty, and estate; he wrote that under the social contract, the people could instigate a revolution against the government when it acted against the interests of citizens and replace the government with another government in the interests of the citizens. The right of revolution thus essentially acted as a safeguard against tyranny. This is a concept similar to the right of rebellion exercised by Polish szlachta.

Answer 4

When the government has absolutely failed to protect and care for the people of a nation, revolution is justified.

Answer 5

when it seeks to improve the lives of its citizens
when the current form of government deteriorates to the point of neglecting its citizens

a good book to read: Anatomy of a Revolution by Crane Brinton

Answer 6

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Answer 7

When an intellectual elite can convince the masses that their plight for self determination is futile.
Some inspirational rhetoric from inspirational leaders doesn't hurt .........."Give me liberty or give me death"......."From time to time;Every tree of liberty must be nurtured with blood"

Answer 8

When those that are being governed can not get recourse with the Government.

Answer 9

when the government is no longer by the people and for the people.

Answer 10

now