Das Andere der Freiheit

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Abstract Coercion is often regarded as the opposite of freedom. But what exactly is coercion? Is it necessarily exercised by individuals? Can we be coerced if someone makes us an offer? Why is coercion an evil? Can it be justified nevertheless? If so, under what conditions? State and Law: Are they coercive institutions, bastions of freedom, or both? Is coercion the same as violence, power, domination, authority or exploitation? What about structural constraints and self-restraint? For the first time, the opposite of freedom receives broad analytical attention. As this ambitious study shows, the liberal core model of freedom and coercion is farreaching and succeeds in guaranteeing a broad spectrum of equal liberty. However, as it limits itself to coercion as an action, it does not consider structural hindrances to freedom, such as social control, alienation and other forms of heteronomy. Their absence is also necessary for the full enjoyment of equal liberty. The liberal model must thus be expanded by amending it with a heteronomous model of coercion.