Features/characteristics of Association
Association is characterized by several essential characteristics. These features or characteristics are mentioned below:
1. A group of people: An association is basically a group of people who have some common objectives. Without a group of people no association can be formed. Hence, a group of people is important.
2. Common interests: An association does not refer to any ordinary group of people rather it refers to an organized group of people. In other words when a group of people organized themselves for the pursuit of some common interest an association is formed. Hence association is called as an organized group. There are certain rules which guide the people.
3. Common aims and objectives: It is the most important characteristic of association. Because association does not refer to a mere collection of human beings rather it refers to those groups of individuals who have some common aims and objectives. All the members try to achieve the common objectives. Hence association is a means to achieve common objectives. For example people having similar political objectives may join in a particular political party.
4. Some rules and regulations: The organization of an association rests upon a particular set of laws. These laws are necessary for regulating the conduct of members belonging to an association. The members of an association follow these rules and regulations.
5. Co-operative Spirit: An association is based on co-operative spirit of its members. People work together to achieve some common purposes. It gives opportunities to its members to work together to achieve some common purposes. This cooperative spirit helps them to realize their objectives. When this spirit is lacking there is no cooperation and no association.
6. Voluntary membership: The membership of an association is voluntary in nature. People voluntarily join in an association for the achievement of their desired objectives. They can also withdraw their membership according to their own wishes. Similarly no one can compel them to be a member of any association but he have to obey the rules and regulations of the association.
7. Degree of permanency: The degree of permanency varies from association to association. Some association may be temporary where as some are permanent. There exists some long-lived association like family or state. Similarly there exists some temporary associations like flood relief association.
8. Legal Status: Association is an organized social group which has responsible members. This shows that association has legal status. It can sue and be sued. Legal action can also be taken against the members as well as officials if disobey it’s rules and regulations.
9. Office bearers: An association have office bearers who manage it’s affairs and guides it’s functioning. These office bearers are elected for a definite period of time by its members.
10. Artificial nature: Association is an artificial creation. It is man made in nature. Some individuals deliberately form association to fulfill their common objectives. It does not grow naturally or spontaneously. There exists no natural bond between the members of association. Rather there exists a bond of self interest.
11. Limited significance: Membership of an association has limited significance. Because association is a temporary group organized group organized for the fulfillment of specific interests of its members. It has significance for its members so far it servers their purpose. When it fail to serves the purpose it lose it’s significance.
Thus we conclude that association is a group within society or community. It is a formal organization as it’s membership is formal in nature. But all formal organizations like army are not associations. Association is guided by formal rules and regulations. Hence though association seems like a formal organization but in reality it is not so. But both association and formal organizations are the product or modern industrial society and new political system. At present association plays a very important role in the new socio-economic and political set up.
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