Association (sociology)
In sociology, an association denotes an amalgamation of several units for the purpose of representing common interests. An association acts as an overarching organization (" interest group ") to represent the interests of all its affiliated members (organizations). These can be individuals or social groups ( natural persons ), but also associations or sub-associations ( legal persons , see legal definition of an association ), as well as territorial authorities of a state and other self-governing bodies. Associations always have their own constitution ( statute , statute) and common, binding and long-term goals. They represent the interests of their members in relation to the state and other interest groups. As interest groups, they are mostly located between the state and the market in the non-profit area (“third sector”). Their service function also plays an important role for their own members .
An association in the sociological understanding differs from an association : Associations can form an association through an official union - but there cannot be an association that only has associations as members; on the other hand, an association can also consist of associations. “Clubs” and “associations” are seen as standing side by side, while the German sociologist Max Weber in 1919 understood the “association” only as a concrete form of the association, and the German sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies in 1931 even saw the association as the most typical association.
Definitions
Max Weber defined the "association in the sociological sense": "Association should mean a social relationship that is restricted or closed to the outside , if the maintenance of its order is guaranteed by the behavior of certain people, who are specifically geared to its implementation: a leader and, possibly, an administrative staff , which, if necessary, normally also has powers of representation . "
Ferdinand Tönnies saw the “social associations” as the “social figure” that they “most perfectly [represent]” by most clearly “for the consciousness of their own members a unit capable of will and action, so to that extent a unit similar to the individual Person , represent ”. This definition is clearer than the two other Tönnieschen social figures (“social relationships” and “social cohesions ”).
This analytically explores the problem of the “collective actor ” (according to James Samuel Coleman , 1926–1995), which in Tönnies and Coleman always starts from individual social actors who create their associations. However, a multi-level analysis (statistical method) becomes more complex : The German-Jewish sociologist Norbert Elias (1897–1990) examined in particular the double group loyalty of the management staff - on the one hand to the sending group, on the other hand to the association which itself constitutes a group.
Expansion of the concept at Max Weber
An association can at Weber
- be autonomous or heteronomous , and additionally
- autocephalous or heterocephalic .
He also differentiates between
- Association , an agreed association, whose statutes only claim validity for the force of personal entry - legally called association
- Establishment , an association whose statutory regulations are (relatively) successfully imposed on every action that can be specified according to certain characteristics within a specifiable area of activity - legally the self-governing body
tasks
Associations fulfill a wide range of tasks within the political system. Through their ability to convey social needs to political decision-makers, they strengthen the legitimacy of political decisions. They are therefore often referred to as intermediaries , mediators between society and politics. Within the associations, the aggregation of interests leads to a reduction in the complexity of the problems. The political landscape of opinion is thus more manageable and easier to understand for the citizens. At the internal level, interest groups develop an integrative effect, as they enable political participation for citizens. Political compromise solutions can achieve a higher degree of acceptance through the participation of interest groups, since the associations are better able to convey these compromises to their members. Associations are not least places of political education and integration within a society.
Asymmetrical association landscape
If one analyzes the distribution of the associations registered with the Bundestag , it becomes clear that economic interests are clearly the strongest represented with 64.5% of the registered groups. The level of organization also reaches the highest level in business associations. The degree of organization is defined as: "Share of members of interest organizations in those whose interests are to be represented." While this value is 90% for farmers, doctors and craft organizations and 70-85% for business associations in industry, the Degree of organization of the employee organizations not 30%. One possible approach to explain this asymmetry within the association landscape is the problem of free riding . If one assumes that an improvement implemented by associations benefits everyone and the individual benefit of an individual is too low to make a significant difference between participation and non-participation, there is no incentive for an individual acting purely on the basis of the cost-benefit calculation to participate in the work of the association. The individual thus avoids the material and immaterial costs of association work and still benefits from the improvements made. Other possible reasons for the asymmetrical distribution of power within the association landscape can arise from communication and integration difficulties within and between the individual associations. Above all, the fact that the results of a commitment often only become visible late and the individual has the feeling that his or her ability to influence is negligibly small often discourages active association work. Furthermore, the financing of the association's work is often problematic if no financially strong members can be recruited. The type of interests represented can also be decisive for the success of association work. It is difficult to organize, especially for heterogeneous interests, whereas special needs have less difficulty in finding a common denominator. The degree of conflict resolution of an organization can be seen as another important factor for the success of an interest group, as the ability to collectively refuse to perform or credibly to threaten a refusal to perform can give the demands of a group the necessary assertiveness. Direct connections to political decision-makers, being involved in decision-making networks and think tanks is another way of influencing the work of the association and is often decisive for its success.
Strengthening weak associations
In order to support traditionally weak interest groups, the state can decide to support them with tax funds or to integrate them into state advisory bodies . Consumer organizations are often largely financed through state aid . In order to weaken the influence of strong interest groups, legal framework conditions in the area of lobbying can be strengthened in order to create more transparency . Apart from government intervention, communication technology has significantly strengthened the reach and coordination ability of weak interest groups. The internet makes it possible to build networks without great material costs and to create a forum for the public.
Dissolution phenomena
In the last few years the traditional association structures have become increasingly noticeable. Many citizens do not feel that they are really represented by any association and perceive a certain lack of representation within the political landscape. Furthermore, the forms of engagement of association members have changed significantly. These are increasingly preferring non-binding and time-limited participation to long-term membership. Often times , the lack of internal democracy can lead to frustration among members. The increasing complexity and interdependence of political fields of action and political decision-making processes make association work more difficult, especially for small organizations with few resources. In addition, there is the competitive situation between the associations, which increasingly advertise for the scarce resources of the members.
Associations' strategies
Associations have developed various strategies in order to be able to counter the phenomenon of disintegration. An appeal to the sense of community can strengthen the willingness of the individual to get involved. The increased use of mass media for the purpose of public mobilization has also proven its worth, especially in short-term campaigns. Some associations try to counter the decline in membership by enforcing a statutory membership obligation. However, the general attractiveness of associations can also be strengthened by offering selective incentives in the form of, for example, service offers. Discrimination against the unorganized in the form of closed shop agreements is not legally desired, but in fact it is often a strategy to create incentives for association membership. Furthermore, the formation of networks between associations with similar interests has become a tried and tested method in order to remain able to act despite the reduced number of members.
literature
- 2007: Helmut Voelzkow: The institutionalization of political participation of interest groups in Germany . In: Thomas von Winter, Ulrich Willems (Ed.): Interest groups in Germany . Wiesbaden 2007, pp. 139-169.
- 2006: Wolfgang Rudzio : The political system of the Federal Republic of Germany . Wiesbaden 2006.
- 1997: Ulrich von Alemann , Bernhard Weßels: Associations in a comparative perspective . Berlin 1997 (see also von Alemann: What are associations? In: Information on political education . Issue 253).
- 1979: Ulrich von Alemann, Rolf Gero: Associations and the state - from pluralism to corporatism . Opladen 1979.
- 1977: Dieter Claessens : Group and group associations - systematic introduction to the consequences of socialization . Scientific Book Society, Darmstadt 1977, ISBN 3-534-07337-1 .
- 1931: Ferdinand Tönnies : Introduction to Sociology . 1931 (republished by Enke, Stuttgart 1981).
- 1922: Max Weber : Economy and Society . 1922 (published posthumously).
- 1922: Max Weber: Basic Sociological Concepts . 1922 (corresponds to the 1st chapter by Weber 1922).
Individual evidence
- ^ Max Weber : Economy and Society . Chapter 1, § 12, 1919.
- ^ Ferdinand Tönnies : Introduction to Sociology . 2nd book, §§ 5,12, 1931.
- ↑ Rudzio (2006): The political system of the Federal Republic of Germany, p. 56f.
- ^ Fraenkel (1991): Germany and the western democracies, p. 276.
- ↑ Rudzio (2006): The political system of the Federal Republic of Germany, p. 61 f.
- ↑ Rudzio (2006): The political system of the Federal Republic of Germany, p. 65.
- ↑ Voelzkow (2007): The institutionalization of political participation by interest groups in Germany, p. 142
- ↑ Voelzkow (2007): The institutionalization of political participation by interest groups in Germany, pp. 143f
- ^ Willems / von Winter (2007): Interest groups as intermediary organizations. On the change in their structures, functions, strategies and effects in a changed environment p. 33
- ^ Willems / von Winter (2007): Interest groups as intermediary organizations. On the change in their structures, functions, strategies and effects in a changed environment p. 28f
- ^ Willems / von Winter (2007): Interest groups as intermediary organizations. On the change in their structures, functions, strategies and effects in a changed environment p. 32
- ^ Willems / von Winter (2007): Interest groups as intermediary organizations. On the change of their structures, functions, strategies and effects in a changed environment p. 23
- ↑ Voelzkow (2007): The institutionalization of political participation by interest groups in Germany, p. 147
- ↑ Rudzio (2006): The political system of the Federal Republic of Germany p. 66f