For this reason, many social philosophers have considered coercion as the polar opposite to freedom. The purpose of coercion is to substitute one's aims to those of the victim. The threat of further harm may lead to the cooperation or obedience of the person being coerced. Coercion may involve the actual infliction of physical pain/injury or psychological harm in order to enhance the credibility of a threat. Such actions are used as leverage, to force the victim to act in a way contrary to their own interests. In law, coercion is codified as a duress crime. These actions may include extortion, blackmail, torture, threats to induce favors, or even sexual assault.

It involves a set of various types of forceful actions that violate the free will of an individual to induce a desired response, for example: a bully demanding lunch money from a student or the student gets beaten.

JSTOR ( February 2015) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Ĭoercion ( / k oʊ ˈ ɜːr ʒ ən, - ʃ ən/) is compelling a party to act in an involuntary manner by use of threats, including force.

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