Coercive organizations

Definition

Coercive organizations are institutions where membership is involuntary, and discipline is maintained through force or the threat of force. These organizations often operate on strict rules and hierarchies to control and manage their members.

Related terms

Bureaucracy:

A system of administration characterized by strict policies, procedures, and hierarchy.

Conformity:

The act of aligning one's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to match the norms or standards of a group.

Total Institution:

A place of residence and work where a large number of similarly situated people, cut off from the wider community for a considerable time, together lead an enclosed, formally administered life