Under what circumstances did John Locke think it would be acceptable for the people to overthrow the government? It is never acceptable, as overthrowing the government would be a violation of the social contract. If the people were to break the social contract and seek a different type of rule, the people could overthrow the government. If the government violated the social contract, the people could overthrow the government. If the government failed to accept new natural rights, the people could overthrow the government.