use of force
Compelling through violence
Use of force refers to physical coercion or violence, typically by authorities against individuals.
In legal and policy contexts, it describes police or military actions ranging from restraint to lethal force: The department's use-of-force policy requires officers to de-escalate when possible.
Debates center on when force is justified and how much is proportional: excessive use of force, authorized use of force.
In international law, it governs military action between states.
- moral justificationRationale for ethical permissibility
- castle doctrineRight to defend home forcefully
- casualtiesThose killed or wounded
- defendProtect from harm
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
weaponry · deadly weapon · self-defense · stand your ground · utilitarianism · military intervention · war crimes · retaliation · human dignity · crime rates · legal immunity · psychological coercion · enforcement · police brutality · necessary evil · last resort · police power · deontology
- policingpatrol, police powers, arrests, police officer, arrest
- police powerpolice authority, police discretion, police conduct, police accountability, police oversight
- police relationscommunity policing, police accountability, police oversight, public trust, community outreach
- Police Trainingpolice academy, academy, cadets, recruits, trainees
- legal defensesself-defense, alibi, affirmative defense, insanity defense, insanity
- police misconductpolice brutality, brutality, misconduct, abuse of power, abuse of authority
use of forcediplomacy
Negotiation between nations
negotiation · persuasion · peaceful resolution · mediation · dialogue
use of forceconsent
Voluntary agreement given
nonviolence · passive resistance · moral suasion · soft power · incentivization
use of forcesoft power
Influence through appeal
diplomatic channels · peaceful coexistence · sanctions · containment · détente