{"id":524922,"date":"2024-09-21T09:48:57","date_gmt":"2024-09-21T07:48:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leregardlibre.com\/?p=524922"},"modified":"2024-09-21T09:49:01","modified_gmt":"2024-09-21T07:49:01","slug":"associations-are-essential-to-democracy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leregardlibre.com\/en\/policy\/associations-are-essential-to-democracy\/","title":{"rendered":"Associations are essential to democracy"},"content":{"rendered":"

The association is a remedy for the inward-looking nature of democratic regimes, where the dependence on others that prevailed in feudal regimes has been eroded. It also enables its members to commit themselves beyond their personal interests, without having to go through the State.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Associations have two advantages that make them a fundamental institution in a democracy. On the one hand, their very democratic functioning is decentralized, which brings decision-making closer to the reality of the members and reduces the risk of tyranny of the majority. On the other hand, it enables individuals to work beyond their own personal interests without going through the State, which limits the latter's powers. In fact, it is generally much simpler to join or leave an association than to change the state - all the more so as it is easy to be a member of no association at all, giving these structures both legitimacy and flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The association is basically the body par excellence that enshrines individual freedom. And while members are free, they also have responsibilities, just as they do in life. The General Assembly, made up of the members, is responsible for appointing the association's committee, deciding on its budget... The presidency, treasury and secretariat are all accountable. In return, the state guarantees freedom of association. The founders of such an adventure can thus give birth to it through statutes without the need for external validation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit equivalent of the company, the association in its most common form gives both civic and initiatory value to individual freedom. More than the meeting of supply and demand, unpaid - and in this case formal - voluntary work is a gift of self in the service of a common goal. It enables the development of both the individual and society as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n