The right of rebellion is a right permitted by John Locke in his social contract theory. This hypothetical right essentially acts as a safeguard against tyrannies or other unjust forms of government that may come into being within the guidelines of the social contract. The right to rebellion gives the individuals in the social contract theory the right to form some sort of uprising, violent or peaceful, against the unjust form of government, and thus rid themselves of whatever abuse of authority may have been occurring. John Locke (August 29, 1632–October 28, 1704) was an influencial English philosopher and social contract theorist. ... Social contract is a phrase used in philosophy, political science, and sociology to denote a real or hypothetical agreement within a state regarding the rights and responsibilities of the state and its citizens, or more generally a similar concord between a group and its members. ...