Associationalism is a current political philosophy that places a strong emphasis on the general welfare of society. It is also regarded as a philosophical term by which citizens are encouraged to identify with other citizens, groups, and institutions. Consequently, this movement is associated with liberalism, and similar philosophies such as liberalism and social responsibility. The most notable aspect of associationalism is its advocacy of social responsibility as a component of public policy and practice. However, one can also speak of a philosophical concept that underlies many aspects of associationalism, namely the belief that the state should seek to maximize the good within a community as well as to ensure the well-being of the state as a whole.
The Wikipedia entry for associationalism states that the term was first used in encyclopedia discussions in 1970. The source was Volkmann’s view that,” Associative Democracy…places a premium on direct participation rather than on indirect, top-down regulation.” Other early contributors to the discussion include Christopher Hillman, Henry Reed Smith, and George Taylor. In addition to these three eminent thinkers, other prominent members of the early association’s movement included Bernard Flowers, Richard von Mises, in W. Berry, and Murray Rothbard.
In the current discussion, some contemporary thinkers who also adhere to the rights of individual freedom include Murray Rothbard, John Locke, Lysander Spooner, and Henry David Thoreau. All of these individuals, along with other associationalists, support important aspects of the philosophical position known as individualism. According to this position, individuals are the masters of their own destinies, and society has no legitimate role in their lives except to facilitate their pursuit of happiness. Under the assumption of individualism, a society is defined by the free association between individuals, wherein no one forces another to belong to any group or to accept any social or economic regulation. This philosophy underlies much of the protection provided by the law against discrimination based on gender, race, religion, age, sexual orientation, or any other form of imposed morality.