The Structural Sources of Association

Where do associations come from? One answer is that they are constructed by individuals with high levels of resources and skills. Another answer is that associations crystallize around a scaffolding of resources, opportunities, and cultural models rooted in the state and world society. We argue the expansion and ‘openness’ of state institutions encourage the formation of associations. Moreover, the institutional structures of world society provide resources and legitimation, supporting the formation of domestic association around the globe. Longitudinal cross-national data on voluntary associations are analyzed using panel models with fixed effects to address unobserved heterogeneity and instrumental variables models to address possible endogeneity. Wealthy and highly educated societies have more associations, consistent with classic views. Institutional features of the state, including overall expansion and openness (i.e., democracy, decentralization) are also linked to higher levels of association. And, nations more strongly tied to world society and those receiving international resources devoted to civil society have more associations. Also, the expanding structure of world society is correlated with growth of association over time. Finally, the impact of these factors varies across types of association. Democracy, for instance, encourages political association but not recreational groups. National ties to world society most strongly affect associations whose aims tend to mirror the agendas of the international community. These factors help make sense of the distinctive configurations of civil society found