Abstract

This essay considers George Grant’s teachings on the permissibility of revolution. Although Grant’s remarks about revolution are often ambiguous, Grant does hold that revolutions can be permissible and just. His theological and philosophical defense of the primacy of the Good leads him to conclude that revolutions are sometimes just and therefore permissible. However, Grant’s defense of constitutionalism or representative government heavily qualifies the circumstances in which revolutions become permissible. They are only permissible in order to change regimes that have abandoned or disregarded constitutionalism or representative government. In modern conditions, however, these circumstances might be more common than we might otherwise assume. Analyzing the circumstances surrounding Charles de Gaulle’s return to power in 1958, we can conclude it is an example of a modern revolution that satisfies Grant’s criteria for a just revolution.