It is a constant source of wonder for me how many associations and institutions of all kinds we have in this our country – and also all over Europe. As often as not, said associations hardly have any more anything in common with what was historically their purpose. The same is true for their members. They now have their own expanding, flourishing and expensive structure. Lots of employees and managers are paid in order to see to it that the association continues to live, even if, basically, it has been out of reach for quite some time.
Most of these associations only exist in order to increase their own power.
The usefulness has degenerated and become an end in itself. Some associations survive on the fees of their members. Those members pay, because they expect something in return (mostly some sort of lobbyism), or because they think you just have to be a member (after all, this is how it has always been and you never know what dire consequences a cancellation might have), or – and this is the worst case – because they have to be members (forced membership, like IHK). Some associations also manage to get money from public authorities regularly.
But how did the associations originate?
In my opinion, both humans and companies always had and still have a basic need to belong and associate. This caused the establishment of federations. They organized themselves as associations, constituting some sort of community of similar-minded people, either at work or in business. It was often their way of advertising their special interests – be they justified or not – publicly and demand a certain degree of support from the state.
Most associations, however, no longer offer a sense of belonging or home today. More often than not, they mutated from a federation to a lobbyist group. As a general rule, the only thing they aim at is their own survival and the strengthening of their own system.
Are associations still necessary?
Today, you could probably do without most of the associations. You can meet similar-minded people at eye-level. The opportunities abound. Besides virtual platforms on the internet, you will also find real and local meetings for almost everything. All kinds of organizations, as well as universities, offer all sorts of things – perhaps far too much. And wherever you really cannot find an opportunity for a special need, you will find it quite easy to create one yourself.
Here is what I recommend:
Cancel your membership with all the associations you subscribed for. Never let yourself be recruited as a member. And, above all: establish your own association!
RMD
(Translated by EG)
Loading ...