>It's only coercive when you adopt some backwards conception of what coercion means. If I try to use particular resources, the system will use violence to stop

>It's only coercive when you adopt some backwards conception of what coercion means. If I try to use particular resources, the system will use violence to stop me. If you claim this isn't coercion, then I think it is your conception which is backwards. >(E.g., The rapist claims they are being coerced because they can't do whatever they please with other peoples' bodies.) Yes, the prevention of crimes is indeed a form of coercion. This only sounds strange if you start with the assumption that coercion is inherently bad. If instead you recognise coercion as a necessary consequence of conflicting desires, you can start to discuss what coercion is justified. Now I think property has shown to be a very effective economic system, and that using coercion to enforce it is therefore entirely justified. But it's still coercion.