10 Main Differences between State and Association

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Some of the main differences between state and association are as follows:

difference between a State and Association, let us first know the meaning of
Association. An association is a voluntarily organised union or group or
institution of some people for securing a particular need or some needs. MacIver
writes: “An association is a group of individuals, who are organised to achieve a
particular objective or some objectives.”

Associations are of several types. There are associations of the labour, trade,
government employees and others. There are economic associations e.g. trade unions,
chambers of commerce and others. Each political party is also a political
association.

Then, association like Arya Samaj, Sanatan Dharm Sabha, Jain Sabhas, Singh Sabhas
are religious associations. A sangeet sabha, a literary society, a dramatic club
are all cultural associations. Rotary clubs, Lion clubs, and the like are social
service associations of people.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Main Points of Distinction between the State and Association:

1. State is the Sovereign organisation. Associations are Non-sovereign

organsiations of people:

State possesses sovereignty. It has supreme power over the people. It can use force
for securing compliance of the people to its laws and policies. All persons and
groups living in the territory of a State accept the sovereignty of the State and
obey its laws.

Any one refusing to do so is punished by the State, e. On the other hand, an

association has no power to get its orders obeyed by force. It cannot use force
against its members. If any member disobeys the rules of association, it can, at
the most terminate the membership of the defaulting member.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

2. The State has wider objectives and Association narrower:

The State has wider objectives while an association has a narrow and limited
objective. The State maintains peace and order and along with it tries to promote
economic, moral, cultural and social welfare of the people. State acts for the
promotion of welfare of all its people. The scope of its functions is very vast.

As against it, every association is organised to serve a limited set of objectives.

Some associations have just one objective. Further each association is concerned
only with the promotion of the interests of its members. .

3. Citizenship of the State is Compulsory but membership of each Association is

Voluntary:

ADVERTISEMENTS:

The membership of the State is compulsory… Each person becomes the citizen of his
State right at the time of his birth and remains so all his life. If he ceases to
be the citizen of a State, he has to become a citizen of another State. On the
other hand, the membership of an association is voluntary. No one can be forced to
become a member of an association. Anyone can withdraw from the membership of an
association at any time.

4. The State can impose Taxes, and not an Association. The State requires finances
to run administration:

It collects revenue by imposing taxes upon the people. No person can refuse to pay
the taxes imposed by the State. If any person fails to do so, the State can use
force to collect the taxes. An association also requires finances to fulfill its
objectives, but it cannot impose any tax for this purpose. An association can
collect only membership fee or voluntary contributions. No association can use
force for collecting its funds or subscriptions.

5. One person can become a member of only one State but of several Associations:

ADVERTISEMENTS:

An individual can be, at one time a citizen of only one state. Normally he acquires
this citizenship/membership by birth. . He cannot simultaneously become a citizen
of any other State. If he desires to get a citizenship of another State, he has to
leave the citizenship of his Parent State. However, any person can become a member
of as many associations as he may deem fit.

At a time he can be a member of an entertainment club, a religious association, a

trade union and a political party. He is not required to leave the membership of
one association for becoming a member other associations.

6. State is essentially a sovereign territorial entity; an Association may or may

not be territorial:

Territory is an essential element of every State. Each State has a definite and
fixed territory, While State is the sovereign institution of all the people, an
association is a voluntarily organised non-sovereign organisation which always
remains and works under the laws of the State. Territory is not essential for an
association. Associations are mostly non-territorial.

7. Only one State but many Associations can be there in one Territory:

Within a definite territory only one State can live. When the territory of a state
gets divided in two parts, two separate States come into existence. Two States in a
single territory are inconceivable. Against this, several associations
simultaneously exist in one territory at any given time. In fact, there are a large
number of associations continuously working within the territory of each State.

8. The State is the national community of its people while Associations can be
local, regional, national or international:

The State has a national status. Each nation has a State. Associations can be local
or national or regional and even international in organisation. Entertainment clubs
are almost always local. The United Nations and International Red Cross Society are
international associations.

9. The State is permanent and Associations are temporary:

The State is permanent whereas associations always come and go. The chief element
of the State is its permanence. The objectives which a State seeks to fulfill are
never-ending objectives. Associations are formed for the fulfillment of particular
objectives. These stay as long as these continue to fulfill their objectives. These
get dissolved after securing their objectives. Associations are often temporary.
These can even get dissolved before accomplishing their objectives.

10. The State as sovereign state is Superior to all Associations:

The State is superior to all associations due to its sovereignty. Associations

always function under the State. The State can regulate and control the functioning
of every association existing in its territory. Every association always exists and
works on the basis of the laws of the State.

Thus, there are several well-recognised differences between the State and an
Association. State is the sovereign community of all the people who live in the
territory of the state. An association is a non-sovereign organisation of only some
people. It is specially organised for serving a particular need or some needs.
Associations always work under the laws of their respective States.