The CIA coup, code-named Operation PBSuccess, replaced the president with military dictator Carlos Castillo Armas in the name of stopping the spread of communism. The right formed an important part of his social contract theory, in which he defined the basis of social relationships.

In contrary to this view, the French Enlightenment thinker Montesquieu believed that this institution successfully hindered the abuse of power, thanks to the existing precondition of a powerful patriotism felt by the Cretans towards their island. Summa Theologica, Part I–II, Question 96, Article 4 (Fathers of the English Dominican Province, trans.Simply put, "An insurrection, whatever may be its immediate cause, eventually endangers all government.

It included a "security clause" that gave the right to a committee of barons to overrule the will of the King through force if needed.In the 1776 Virginia constitution the right would arise simply if government was "inadequate" and Pennsylvania's 1776 constitution required only that the people considered a change to be "most conducive" to the public welfare. Some commentators endorsed the right of resistance if Parliament "jeopardized the constitution", but most identified the need for oppression and tyranny before its exercise.