Which concept allows people to overthrow a government if it fails to serve its purpose?

The concept that allows people to overthrow a government if it fails to serve its purpose is the right to revolution. This principle is rooted in political philosophy, particularly in Enlightenment thought, where it is argued that if a government fails to protect the rights of the people or becomes tyrannical, citizens have the moral authority to resist and establish a new government that will fulfill its obligations to serve the people's needs.

This idea gained significant traction during the Enlightenment period, as philosophers like John Locke articulated the belief that government derives its power from the consent of the governed. When trust is broken and the government no longer represents the interests of the people, it is deemed necessary for the populace to reclaim their rights through revolution.

In contrast, while the social contract refers to the theoretical agreement between the governed and the government ensuring mutual obligations, and popular sovereignty emphasizes that the ultimate power resides with the people, these concepts do not specifically address the justification for disbanding a government that fails in its duties. The separation of powers deals more with the distribution of authority within a government to prevent tyranny rather than empowering the people to revolt.