BeyondIntractability.org   BeyondIntractability.org
Beyond Intractability: A Free Knowledge Base on More Constructive Approaches to Destructive Conflict
   
Home Page > Browse Full Beyond Intractability Knowledge Base > Understanding Conflict > Power > Coercive Power
Coercive Power
Coercive Power
Huey Newton wrote, "Politics is war without bloodshed. War is politics with bloodshed." Though not all politics is coercive, it is certainly one way to force people to do what you want. This essay discusses the pros and cons of coercive power--violent, nonviolent, political, military, and more.
Aggression
This essay explores the debate over aggression, asking whether it is an instinct, a reaction or a learned response.
Revenge and the Backlash Effect
Most people hate to be forced to do things against their will. Using threats often produces such a large backlash that they cause more problems than they solve, as this essay explains.
Sanctions
Sanctions are punishments that are used to try to influence other groups or nation-states' behaviors. Examples are embargoes and prohibitions from attending international events. This essay describes the pluses and minuses of using sanctions to influence another's behavior.
Nonviolence and Nonviolent Direct Action
Nonviolent direct action is action, usually undertaken by a group of people, to persuade someone else to change their behavior. Examples include strikes, boycotts, marches, and demonstrations--social, economic, or political acts that are intended to convince the opponent to change their behavior without using violent force
 
Compromise does not mean cowardice. -- John F. Kennedy
Featured Links
Organizations Making Noteworthy Contributions to Efforts to Promote More Constructive Conflict
The Project on Leadership and Building State Cap.
The Project on Leadership and Building State Capacity
Other Resources from
Beyond Intractability
Reporting on Conflict
Reporting on Conflict
A guide for reporters showing how they can get the most out of Beyond Intractability. Includes a list of experts available for interviews.
Nobel Peace Prize Winners

John Raleigh Mott
John Raleigh Mott
Former Chairman of the International Missionary Council, and 1946 Nobel Peace Laureate
Beyond Intractability Version IV
Copyright © 2003-2007 The Beyond Intractability Project
Beyond Intractability is a Registered Trademark of the University of Colorado
Project Acknowledgements

The Beyond Intractability Knowledge Base Project
Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess, Co-Directors and Editors
c/o Conflict Information Consortium (Formerly Conflict Research Consortium), University of Colorado
Campus Box 580, Boulder, CO 80309
Phone: (303) 492-1635; Fax: (303) 492-2154; Contact
University of Colorado at Boulder