As a European, I have read with interest but increasing 
          confusion this debate over coercion.  I have never heard an 
          economist in an economic history or economics seminar say 
          "economic theory teaches us that all government is 
          coercion".  And, although the "free market always provides a 
          better solution" is prominent to any one who has lived 
          through the Thatcher years in Britain, it perhaps remains 
          more of a political slogan than an economic theory.  In any 
          case, the two statements do not necessarily connect.  I am 
          pleased to have been educated about the possibly 
          European roots of the former idea, but wonder whether the 
          way the idea is expressed (above, taken from Mary 
          Schwietzer's message) denotes a particularly American view 
          about government stemming from political traditions? 
 
          Mary Morgan (London and Amsterdam)