We explain what an association is, what types exist and we give you various examples. In addition, we tell you how it differs from a foundation.
What is an association?
an association It is a legal entity made up of different people or organizations that come together for a common goal. Whether for-profit or not, that is, with the purpose of enrichment or for other purposes, associations are regulated by the law of each country (or international law, if applicable).
These entities are known as “associations” because, precisely, they group or associate different social actors around a joint mission. In fact, the term association It is made up of Latin voices ad- (“towards”) and socius (“partner” or “ally”), which suggests that the members of an association act jointly or in harmony. In general, Associations have horizontal structures, with a democratic hierarchy and certain rules.
The purposes of an association can be very diverse. Some simply aspire to bring together people and organizations with common interests, so that they can share efforts with the rest of society, while others seek to exert certain changes in society and serve as a meeting point for people who identify with the same aspirations: sports, civic, ecological, professional and union, among many others.
Types of association
Fundamentally, a distinction is made between two sets of associations, depending on whether they are for-profit or not.
For-profit associations. They are those that aspire to enrich or generate wealth for their members, which is why they are also considered business associations. These types of associations establish a strategic union by contract between their members, so that they act jointly to share profits and losses. These associations can, in turn, be of two types:
- Strategic business partnerships which involve particular individuals interested in a common undertaking.
- Strategic business alliances which involve companies and corporations that have a common commercial objective that is complementary to their regular commercial activities.
Non-profit associations. They are those that pursue goals other than economic enrichment, and that can be civil, social, ecological, sports, legal, among others. These associations allow their members a common struggle and a shared legal status, in order to organize themselves in a more efficient and sustained manner. These associations can be of different types:
- Voluntary groups when its members are volunteers who sacrifice a portion of their resources and time in order to generate change in a certain area of society.
- Unions and trade associations when its members belong to the same profession, job or trade, and through the association they can negotiate jointly with their superiors and with the State.
- Civil associations when its members are individuals and/or organizations formally linked to some specific aspect of social life, such as sports associations, social and LGBT associations, associations of hobbyists, among others.
Differences between association and foundation
Associations and foundations are different legal figures although they can be confused in certain contexts. The main difference has to do with the legal regulations and the legal requirements that the law imposes on each one, since a foundation arises when an entity or a group of private entities allocates part of its assets to the promotion of activities aimed at the common well-being.
Instead, associations have more horizontal structures whose members (or “associates”) have the same rights, opportunities and demands, so that the management of the association responds to common criteria.
Examples of associations
Some examples of associations of different types are:
- European Youth Association dedicated to supporting democracies in Europe through youth militancy.
- International Association of Universities dedicated to facilitating dialogue and cooperation among the world's universities.
- Argentine Consumer Association dedicated to making consumer rights visible, through the organization of complaints and guidance and information to individuals.
- Venezuelan Association of Pediatrics dedicated to representing, organizing and guiding pediatric medicine professionals.
- World Boxing Association dedicated to representing boxers and this sport throughout the world.
- International Air Transport Association dedicated to cooperation between airlines and establishing universal criteria around air transport.
- Coyoacán Ecological Association dedicated to the defense of the environment in the Mexican town of Coyoacán, in Mexico City.
- Algarabías de Canarias LGBT Association dedicated to the visibility of the LGBT community in the Canary Islands, Spain, and the fight for respect for the rights and freedoms of this community.
Association and civil society
(Civil) associations are extremely important for civil society, that is, for sectors of society that do not have participation in government or are part of corporate and business groups. This is because provide the opportunity for individuals to group and organize at a formal, legal, logistical and even popular level.
Civil associations allow the defense of particular interests even against the tendency of the State which is extremely important. In fact, associations sometimes allow the resolution of problems without the formal intervention of the State, which speeds up life in society and empowers individuals, making them more independent.
Other meanings of the term “association”
The word “association” has other uses other than legal and juridical ones, but they arise from the same notion of grouping or nuclear entities. In this sense, the term is used association as the action of associating, that is, of link two elements that individually should not have anything to do with each other just as happens when we mentally associate a bodily action with a meaning (winking an eye knowingly) or an aroma with a childhood memory. In this case we are associating one thing with the other.
Continue with: Social organization
References
- “Association (law)” in Wikipedia.
- “Economic association” in Wikipedia.
- “Radication of the word Association” in the Online Spanish Etymological Dictionary.
- “What kind of associations exist?” at UNHCR.
- “Business association” in The Encyclopaedia Britannica.
