Definition and features of an association.

by - November 17, 2024

What is association? What are the features of association? 

What is an association? Write the characteristics of an association.

Definition and features of an association.




Concept / definition of an association.


Gisbert says - people gather to fulfill certain objectives. The group of people gathered on the basis of this specific objective is called an association.

MacIver and Page have given the most importance to the specific objective in establishing an association. According to him, an association is formed by the people and voluntarily.

Besides, Morris Ginsburg also considers the specific objective of the people to be the most important factor behind the formation of an association.

Therefore, it can be said that an association is a type of organization created by people which is formed to fulfill specific objectives.


Features / Characteristics of an association: -


1. Objective-based: -
Every association is formed around a specific objective. Individuals with similar objectives come together to give birth to an association. The behavior of the members, the goals and programs of the association, the rules and regulations of the association - everything is directed towards that specific objective.

2. Means of social control: -
Associations act as a means of social control directly and indirectly. Every association has its own rules and regulations. It controls its members through those specific rules and regulations. The rules of the association are in some cases written and in some cases unwritten. Every member of the association has to follow those rules and regulations. In this way, the association acts as a means of social control.

3. An association is a type of community: -
People with similar objectives come together and give birth to an association. Since people organize and give birth to an association, an association can be called a community. However, not all communities can be called an association. Because, an association does not have the special characteristics that should be present in order to be a community. However, it can be said that all associations are a type of community.

4. Membership:-
Membership of an association is at the discretion of the individual. A person may or may not be a member of an association if he or she wishes. Again, a person may or may not be a member of more than one association at the same time. Again, leaving membership is also at the discretion of the individual.

5. Artificial and planned:-
A group is created artificially by humans. People artificially create associations based on specific objectives. Associations are created based on specific plans. People create associations based on specific objectives.


6. Durability:-
The durability of associations depends on the objectives of the association. Depending on the objectives, associations can be both long-term or temporary. For example, during the Covid pandemic, many institutions were formed for the benefit of human welfare. But when the impact of the pandemic decreases over time, the need for all those associations ends.

7. Regional expansion:-
A group may or may not be regionally based. In some associations, geographical area is considered as a specific feature. For example - a club in a specific neighborhood. Again, in some associations, geographical area is meaningless. For example - Rotary Club, Lions Club, Red Cross - all these associations are spread all over the world.

8. Legal basis: -
Most associations have a legal basis. This means that in the eyes of the law, the association has everything - duties, responsibilities, recognition, rights - etc. In other words, a case can be filed against the association because it has a legal basis.

9. Specific - Rules and Regulations: -
Every association has its own rules and regulations. Every member of the association is obliged to follow those rules and regulations. If these rules and regulations are violated, disciplinary action is also taken against the members of the association.

10. Not self-sufficient: -
No association in society is self-sufficient. Therefore, associations are mutually dependent on other associations or society. An association has to depend on other associations or institutions to fulfill its objectives.

11. Responsibility:-
Every association is formed on the basis of a specific objective. In order to fulfill this objective, the association has to be responsible to its members. This responsibility towards the members makes the members of the association responsible to the association. That is, just as the association has a responsibility towards its members, the members are also responsible to the association.

12. Mutual cooperation:-
Since people organize and give birth to an association on the basis of homogeneous objectives, a mutual attitude can be observed among the members of the association in order to fulfill that objective. This mutual cooperation attitude of the members is essential to fulfill the objectives of the association.

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