Peonage: meaning, definitions and examples

Economic or debt servitude where a person is bound to work for a creditor until a debt is paid. Often historically related to agricultural work, but can be applied in modern contexts as well. Used in legal, historical, and socio-economic discussions.

• The farmer was forced into peonage after borrowing money at high interest rates.
• Peonage was a common practice in the post-Civil War South among rural workers.

A general term for being under the control of another, suggesting a loss of freedom. Often used in historical contexts related to slavery, or metaphorically to describe oppressive situations. This word has a slightly less formal tone.

• The people lived in bondage for decades under the oppressive regime.
• Breaking free from bondage, she started a new life in a different country.

A historical term referring to the feudal system where serfs were bound to a lord's land and provided labor in exchange for protection. Commonly associated with medieval Europe.

• Serfdom was a defining feature of the medieval European economy.
• Many peasants lived in conditions of serfdom, tied to the land they worked.

The state of being owned by another person and being forced to work without rights. This term has a very strong negative connotation and is primarily used in historical contexts or discussions on human rights abuses.

• Slavery was abolished in the United States in 1865 with the 13th Amendment.
• The horrors of slavery remain a painful chapter in many countries' histories.

Often used to describe a system where laborers are bound in servitude due to debt or other obligations. This term has historical connotations, especially related to post-Civil War America.

• After the collapse of slavery, many freedmen found themselves trapped in peonage due to unfair labor contracts.
• The peonage system kept workers indefinitely indebted and unable to escape their conditions.

Refers to the unjust or unethical use of someone’s labor or resources for one’s own benefit. This term can be applied broadly to describe various abusive labor practices across different contexts.

• The workers went on strike to protest against the exploitation by the factory owners.
• Child exploitation is a serious issue that requires immediate attention from authorities.

Describes a broader and more systemic form of social injustice where a group is subjected to harsh and authoritarian treatment, often tied to social, political, or economic dominance.

• The regime's oppression of political dissidents was widely condemned by the international community.
• Over the years, many have fought against the oppression of marginalized communities.

Specifically denotes a situation where individuals are made to work against their will, under threat or coercion. This term is often linked to serious human rights abuses and illegal activities.

• International organizations work tirelessly to combat forced labor in various industries around the globe.
• Many survivors of human trafficking are rescued from situations of forced labor.