[reuben364]

There is also the tool of taxation and fines, which while in turn are backed by a threat of violence are not the black and white which you allude to.

[ETH_start]

Taxes and fines are entirely within the realm of legal consequences I was referring to.

Fining people who get abortions, or engage in promiscuous behavior, or don't subscribe to the dominant religion, doesn't strike you as authoritarian?