Introduction

Abstract

Coercion is a complex phenomenon. It occurs in both interpersonal and institutional or political contexts. In this volume we are primarily concerned with coercion in institutional or political contexts (paradigmatically, coercive state action). Nevertheless, coercion in interpersonal contexts is not absent from the discussion, and for good reason. Insofar as the concept of coercion is put to work in both interpersonal and institutional or political contexts, a complete and coherent conceptual analysis (as well as a complete and coherent evaluative theory) will have to range over its use in both kinds of context. Further, while the capacities of institutions and bodies politic to act are dependent on complex systems of rules in ways the capacities of individual persons to act are not, thus giving rise to the distinction between interpersonal and institutional or political contexts, it remains the case that institutions and bodies politic cannot act save through the agency of individual persons. Interpersonal coercion is thus often ingredient in or mixed with institutional or political coercion. So, no discussion of coercion in institutional or political contexts can proceed fully divorced from discussion of it in interpersonal contexts. A parallel point holds for discussions of coercion in interpersonal contexts. Because institutional or political coercion often provides background conditions favorable to interpersonal coercion, no discussion of the latter can proceed fully divorced from the former. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)