koercion

Coercion, sometimes spelled koercion in some contexts, refers to actions that compel a person to act in a way they would not choose freely, typically through threats, intimidation, or manipulation. It differs from voluntary influence because the affected person’s capacity to decide freely is constrained. Coercion can operate in personal, professional, and political contexts.

Forms of coercion include physical coercion (threats of violence or actual harm), psychological coercion (manipulation, intimidation, gaslighting, social or reputational pressure), economic coercion (withdrawal of resources or debt leverage), and institutional or state coercion (law enforcement, sanctions, surveillance). In intimate relationships, coercive control denotes a pattern of behaviors intended to dominate a partner and restrict autonomy.

In law and ethics, consent obtained under coercion is generally invalid. In contract law, duress can render a contract voidable; in criminal law, duress may provide a defense when threats of imminent harm leave no reasonable alternative, though standards vary by jurisdiction. Internationally, coercion appears in sanctions, military threats, and other measures intended to compel behavior.

Scholarly discussions address the balance between legitimate authority and violations of autonomy, the ethics of coercive methods, and the protection of vulnerable groups. Coercion is therefore analyzed as a power dynamic that can undermine voluntary choice and rights if not checked by law, norms, and remedies.