Write operations for weakly consistent replicated database systems have embedded conflict detection and conflict resolution procedures for identifying and resolving, respectively conflicts between such write operations and the current state of any given instance of such a database. These write operations are committed to a firm execution order by the host for one instance of such a database, and this execution order propagates to the other instances of the database. Accordingly, a write log distinguishes between the writes that are known to be committed to a firm execution order (the "tentative writes") is maintained for each instance of the database, thereby enabling the user to explicitly identifying the stable data and the potentially unstable data in any given instance of the database. Furthermore, provision is made for enabling users to select from a set of predefined consistency guarantees across all instances of such a database for any given session.