ABSTRACT
Every association, by the mere fact of its existence, is endowed with some coercive power, and actually exercises some such power in the course of pursuing its object. This coercive power is not necessarily recognized by the community, and the courts of law sometimes disallow particular exercises of it by voluntary associations. Nevertheless it exists, and is freely exercised every day. Very many associations claim the right to fine their members for breach of the rules, and nearly all claim the final right of expelling a member who offends against the etiquette or rules of the association, or even who, in the opinion of the members, acts con-trary to the interests of the association. Trade unions and many other kinds of association constantly fine and often expel members, and it is very seldom that their right to do so is challenged by the courts in some particular case. Indeed, often the law of the state, so far from disallowing such associational coercion, backs it up and gives it legal sanction, or at least acquiesces in its decisions. This is especially the case in the ‘selfgoverning’ professions, where the benches of the Temple, or the Law Society, or the General Medical Council freely use coercive power with the approval and sanction of the state. Thus, we can find ample instances of coercion by associations other than the state without inviting that great coercionist, spiritual and temporal, the church. ‘Coercion and co-ordination’ first appeared as Chapter Eight of G.D.H.Cole (1920) The Social Theory.
