Coercion

Duress
Blackmail

Nature

Coercion is the threat or use of force to constrain another agent's freedom of action. Coercion and deception are two major ways to control the actions of others without their fully voluntary cooperation. The justification of coercion is often a major part of the justification of both violent and non-violent resistance.

Background

Coercion has been recognized as a pervasive global issue since early legal codes, such as the Code of Hammurabi, sought to regulate forced actions. Its significance grew with the rise of international human rights law in the 20th century, as reports of political, economic, and social coercion highlighted its widespread impact. Increasing documentation by organizations like Amnesty International has deepened understanding of coercion’s complex manifestations across diverse societies and governance systems.

Incidence

Coercion remains a pervasive issue globally, manifesting in various forms such as political repression, forced labor, and domestic abuse. Reports from organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch indicate that millions of individuals are subjected to coercive practices annually, affecting both developed and developing nations. The problem spans governmental, institutional, and interpersonal contexts, undermining human rights and social stability on a significant scale.
In 2022, widespread reports emerged from Xinjiang, China, where Uyghur Muslims were allegedly subjected to coercive measures including forced labor and re-education programs. International investigations and satellite imagery corroborated these claims, drawing global condemnation and calls for accountability.

Claim

Both the state and opposition groups use coercion to achieve political ends. Gandhi used non-violent methods of coercion, a moral force on the British. Systems of law are based on coercion.

Counter-claim

Coercion is vastly overstated as a societal problem. In reality, most people make choices freely, and the rare instances of coercion are already addressed by existing laws and social norms. Focusing on coercion distracts from more pressing issues that genuinely impact lives. Elevating it to a major concern is unnecessary and only serves to create fear where little actually exists. Society should prioritize real problems, not exaggerated ones like coercion.