Verbal TC ETS practice question

GRE Verbal Problem Solving
1

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In this question, persuasion means to persuade or induce some one forcefully and it sets up contrast for the blank because of “is preferable to”.

So the blank would be opposite of persuasion right? but coercion is synonym for persuasion.

Can any one clear my doubt on this?

2

how do you think the final clause - with totalitarianism - supports coercion? I.e. we have to use context, not just think about the opposite of persuasion.