Word of the Week

Coercion is the use of violence or other kinds or force, or the threat of such force, to dictate the actions of others.

Coercion is often used to political ends, both by states and by other entities.

Coercion (primarily in the specialized sense) is opposed by anarchists, libertarians and pacifists.

Nevertheless, coercion remains one of the most basic forms of motivation, and continues to be used for that purpose.

Some consider that corporations may exert coercive force through control over scarce resources, such as food, water, housing, and others which individuals would consider essential to maintaining their lives.