Freedom of association
Freedom of association is the right to form, join, and leave groups for shared purposes. It protects collective action and voluntary affiliation.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: A United Nations treaty that protects civil and political rights, including association and peaceful assembly. Article 22 sets an international treaty standard for associational freedom.
Freedom of assembly: The right to gather peacefully in public or private for a shared purpose. Assembly protects people acting together in gatherings, while association also covers enduring groups.
Political party: An organized group that seeks political power by contesting elections and shaping public policy. Forming and joining parties lets people organize political participation.
Right to work: A policy framework that limits requirements to join or financially support a labor union as a condition of employment. It prioritizes individual choice against union membership rules and collective financing.
European Convention on Human Rights: A Council of Europe treaty that protects fundamental rights under the supervision of the European Court of Human Rights. Article 11 protects association and supplies a framework for judging restrictions.
Freedom of speech: The right to express ideas and opinions without undue government restriction. Groups often exist to communicate ideas, making speech and association mutually reinforcing.
Non-governmental organization: An independent organization that pursues social, humanitarian, environmental, or other public-interest aims. Such organizations depend on the ability to form, recruit members, and operate independently.
Closed shop: A workplace arrangement requiring employees to belong to a union before being hired. It raises the question of whether collective organization may condition access to a job.
First Amendment to the United States Constitution: A constitutional provision barring the United States Congress from abridging specified freedoms, including speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition. U.S. courts derive associational protections from its guarantees of speech and assembly.
Freedom of religion: The right to hold, change, and practice religious beliefs, individually or collectively. Collective worship and religious organization are protected forms of association.