What's the difference between a government demand and recommendation delivered over a private channel? Sounds kind of like when the mafia recommends that a busi

What's the difference between a government demand and recommendation delivered over a private channel? Sounds kind of like when the mafia recommends that a business buys their brand of insurance to protect them in the off-chance somebody comes along and smashes all their windows. Sure the business doesn't need the insurance but they might rethink their position the first time all their windows get smashed.