Association vs. Federation: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Association refers to a group formed for a specific purpose, often informal. Federation is a formal union of organizations or states with internal autonomy.
Key Differences
Association implies a group of individuals or organizations formed for a common purpose, often with a less formal structure. It focuses on shared interests or goals, emphasizing collaboration and voluntary participation. Federation, in contrast, denotes a formal union of entities, usually states or organizations, under a central authority while maintaining a degree of internal autonomy. It implies a structured and often legal binding agreement, emphasizing unity and governance.
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Dec 05, 2023
In terms of structure, an association usually has a more flexible framework, allowing for a diverse range of activities and member participation levels. It's typically driven by the collective interests of its members. A federation, however, operates under a more rigid structure, often defined by a constitution or formal agreement, outlining the powers and responsibilities of the central authority and its members.
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When considering governance, an association often relies on a more democratic or consensus-based approach, with members having significant input into decisions. In a federation, governance is usually more centralized, with a governing body or authority overseeing the implementation of policies and coordination among members.
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Membership in an association is generally based on shared interests or objectives, and members may join or leave freely. In a federation, membership is more formal and binding, often involving legal or constitutional commitments, and leaving the federation might have significant implications.
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In terms of purpose, an association is typically formed for networking, advocacy, or collaborative efforts in a specific area, like a professional field or hobby. A federation is created to unite entities under a common governance structure, often for political, economic, or regulatory purposes, such as a federation of states or trade organizations.
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Comparison Chart
Autonomy
Individual member autonomy
Internal autonomy within central framework
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Association and Federation Definitions
Association
Collaboration between individuals or entities for a common purpose.
Their association in the project led to its success.
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Federation
A political or organizational entity formed by uniting smaller groups.
The federation of states worked together for national security.
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Association
A connection or cooperative link between people or organizations.
The trade association represents the interests of local businesses.
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Federation
A formal agreement or treaty between groups or states.
The sports federation governs the rules of the game globally.
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Association
A link between two or more things.
There's a historical association between the two countries.
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Federation
A system where autonomous states or groups are united under a collective governance.
The federation allowed for state autonomy while maintaining national unity.
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Association
An organized body of people with a common purpose.
She joined an association for environmental awareness.
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Federation
A group of states or organizations under a single constitution.
The federation was established following the signing of a new constitution.
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Association
The act of associating or being connected with
My parents disapproved of my association with my friends from across town.
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Federation
An organization with a central governing body.
The federation oversees the policies of its member organizations.
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Association
An organized body of people who have an interest, activity, or purpose in common; a society.
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Oct 19, 2023
Federation
The act of federating, especially a joining together of states into a league or federal union.
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Association
A mental connection or relation between thoughts, feelings, ideas, or sensations
My therapist helped me examine my association of food with comfort.
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Federation
A league or association formed by federating, especially a government or political body established through federal union.
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Association
The act of expressing a link or connection between two things
"The media's association of visa overstayers with illegality is so strong and common as to shape public attitudes towards them" (Junya Morooka).
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Association
A correlation or causal connection
There is a definite association of exercise with improved health.
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Federation
Array of nations or states that are unified under one central authority which is elected by its members.
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Association
(Chemistry) Any of various processes of combination, such as hydration, solvation, or complex-ion formation, depending on relatively weak chemical bonding.
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Federation
Any society or organisation formed from separate groups or bodies.
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Association
(Ecology) A large number of organisms in a specific geographic area constituting a community with one or two dominant species.
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Federation
A collection of network or telecommunication providers that offer interoperability.
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Federation
(Australia) Of an architectural style popular around the time of federation.
We live in a federation house.
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Association
(countable) The state of being associated; a connection to or an affiliation with something.
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Association
(statistics) Any relationship between two measured quantities that renders them statistically dependent (but not necessarily causal or a correlation).
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Association
A group of persons associated for a common purpose; an organization; society.
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Association
(object-oriented programming) Relationship between classes of objects that allows one object instance to cause another to perform an action on its behalf.
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Association
A benevolent overseas Chinese organization of popular origin for overseas Chinese individuals with the same surname or trade or business.
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Federation
The act of constituting a political unity out of a number of separate states or colonies or provinces so that each member retains the management of its internal affairs
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Association
The act of associating, or state of being associated; union; connection, whether of persons of things.
Self-denial is a kind of holy association with God.
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Association
Mental connection, or that which is mentally linked or associated with a thing.
Words . . . must owe their powers association.
Why should . . . the holiest words, with all their venerable associations, be profaned?
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Association
Union of persons in a company or society for some particular purpose; as, the American Association for the Advancement of Science; a benevolent association. Specifically, as among the Congregationalists, a society, consisting of a number of ministers, generally the pastors of neighboring churches, united for promoting the interests of religion and the harmony of the churches.
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Association
A formal organization of people or groups of people;
He joined the Modern Language Association
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Association
The act of consorting with or joining with others;
You cannot be convicted of criminal guilt by association
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Association
The state of being connected together as in memory or imagination;
His association of his father with being beaten was too strong to break
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Association
A social or business relationship;
A valuable financial affiliation
He was sorry he had to sever his ties with other members of the team
Many close associations with England
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Association
The process of bringing ideas or events together in memory or imagination;
Conditioning is a form of learning by association
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Association
A relation resulting from interaction or dependence;
Flints were found in association with the prehistoric remains of the bear
The host is not always injured by association with a parasite
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Association
(chemistry) any process of combination (especially in solution) that depends on relatively weak chemical bonding
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Association
(ecology) a group of organisms (plants and animals) that live together in a certain geographical region and constitute a community with a few dominant species
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Association
A mental connection between ideas or things.
There is a strong association between diet and health.
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Dec 05, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can an association have a legal status?
Yes, associations can have legal status, but it's not mandatory.
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What defines a federation?
A federation is a formal union of entities, maintaining internal autonomy, under a central authority.
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How is decision-making different in associations and federations?
Associations typically use democratic or consensus-based decision-making, while federations have a more centralized governance structure.
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What role does a federation play?
Federations unite entities under common governance for political, economic, or regulatory purposes.
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What is an association?
An association is a group formed for a specific purpose, often with a flexible structure.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can individuals join associations?
Yes, individuals can join associations based on their interests or goals.
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Dec 05, 2023
What is the level of autonomy in federations?
Federations allow for internal autonomy within a central framework.
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Can an association be part of a federation?
Yes, associations can be members of a federation.
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Are associations usually based on personal or professional interests?
Associations can be based on both personal and professional interests.
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Dec 05, 2023
Do federations have a constitution?
Yes, federations often operate under a constitution or formal agreement.
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Is membership in a federation usually permanent?
Membership in a federation is often formal and more binding than in an association.
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Do associations have formal membership requirements?
Membership requirements in associations vary and can range from informal to formal.
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Is it easy to exit a federation?
Exiting a federation can be complex and is often governed by legal or constitutional procedures.
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What legal status do federations have?
Federations usually have a formal legal status defined by their governing documents.
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What's the main purpose of forming an association?
Associations are formed for networking, advocacy, or collaboration in specific areas.
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How are conflicts resolved in a federation?
Conflicts in a federation are often resolved through a central authority or agreed mechanisms.
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Can an association lobby for policy changes?
Yes, many associations engage in lobbying to influence policy changes.
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How do associations fund their activities?
Associations fund their activities through membership fees, donations, or fundraising events.
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Are associations typically non-profit?
Many associations are non-profit, but this is not a universal characteristic.
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What's the role of a central government in a federation?
The central government in a federation oversees policy implementation and coordination among members.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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