Coercion Resistance

Definition ∞ Coercion resistance refers to a system’s capacity to deter or prevent external parties from influencing an individual’s actions through threats or incentives. In voting systems, this means a voter cannot be compelled to cast a ballot in a specific way. It ensures that participants can act according to their true preferences without fear of reprisal. This property is vital for maintaining the integrity and fairness of decentralized decision-making.
Context ∞ For blockchain-based governance, achieving coercion resistance is a primary design objective, particularly concerning voting protocols. Current developments in cryptographic techniques, like zero-knowledge proofs and secure multi-party computation, aim to fortify this defense. News reports frequently address the vulnerabilities of systems lacking sufficient coercion resistance, highlighting potential avenues for manipulation.