# When is it justified to overthrow a government?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-it-justified-to-overthrow-a-government/325448>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [October 9, 2005, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-it-justified-to-overthrow-a-government/325448 "2005-10-09T21:46:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-it-justified-to-overthrow-a-government/325448/21 "2005-10-10T03:31:44Z")

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> [@AFAIKnow](#):
>
> In that case, the only other option I see is that “might” defines the justification. A handful may be able to accomplish a coup, but only if the “might” allows it.

What Hobbes, IIRC, called an “appeal to Heaven” (i.e., an appeal to war).

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