(Part 3 of 3)
NOW WE COME TO THE THIRD FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE in the science of volition: noncoercion. Noncoercion is one of the three pillars of the science of volition. It describes the quality of any action that is devoid of coercion. Coercion is defined as any attempted interference with the property of another without their permission. We identify two general classes of coercion:
Force: Coercion affected through physical violence or the threat of physical violence.
Fraud: Coercion affected through deception.
The most flagrant use of these forms of coercion is political. Political coercion has been a mainstay of human societies since the beginning of recorded history, even though it eventually leads to societal collapse. Historical examples include the Roman Empire, the French monarchy leading up to the French Revolution, and the late Qing Dynasty in China. Coercion erodes public trust and leads to economic instability.