Why did John Locke argue that people could overthrow an oppressive government?

John Locke argued that people have the right to overthrow an oppressive government because he believed that all legitimate political authority is based on the social contract and the consent of the governed.12

For Locke, government is not an absolute power but a trust established for the specific purpose of protecting the public good, which includes the preservation of individuals' lives, liberties, and property. Because the authority of the state is derived from this contract, the government is bound by its terms.32

When a government abuses this trust, acts arbitrarily, or violates the fundamental rights of the people, it forfeits its legitimacy. In such cases, Locke maintained that the people themselves are the ultimate judges of whether their trust has been betrayed. Consequently, they are entitled to rebel, dissolve the oppressive regime, and establish a new government that will better secure their safety and happiness. This principle serves as a foundational defense against totalitarian power and affirms that sovereignty ultimately resides with the people.124