Freedom of association in Malta

Abstract

Man is born free and equal in dignity and rights. By itself, however, this fundamental right may not be able to fulfil its promise; it is infact generally accepted that this right stands a better chance of attainment if made collectively rather than individually. This collective action can only be taken if one is free to associate with fellow-man and be free to join in any organisation. My dissertation looks at whether the Maltese nation is free to do so. It looks at the resulting relationships that emerge between the individual and the state but its concern with how the state impinge its influence upon the individual makes it more of general relevance. The problems which arise in the resulting relationships are widely canvassed. The dissertation also tried to fill a gap which has been largely disregarded by the study of politics and public administration; fundamental to the realm of our democratic country nowadays and is itself a solution to eliminate once and for all the hideous politically-divided community we belong to nowadays. But equally I hope that my dissertation makes it perfectly clear that without associating with fellow-man, himself can achieve very little.