Accession vs. Ratification — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 20, 2023
Accession refers to the act of joining or agreeing to a treaty or convention, often by a state that was not a party to its drafting. Ratification signifies a formal approval of an agreement, typically by a country's legislative body.
Difference Between Accession and Ratification
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Key Differences
Accession and ratification are both processes by which states or organizations become party to an international treaty or agreement. While both signify an agreement, their contexts and nuances differ. Accession typically involves joining an existing treaty without having participated in its formulation. Ratification, meanwhile, is the formal approval of a treaty or agreement that may have been signed by representatives but requires formal consent.
Consider an international treaty that multiple countries draft. Those that were involved in drafting might sign it initially, indicating their intent to comply. However, the actual binding commitment often requires ratification. For countries that weren't part of the original drafting but wish to join later, they would typically do so through accession.
One key distinction between accession and ratification lies in the sequence and participation. Accession can be seen as a later stage for states or entities that weren't original signatories, allowing them to become a party to the treaty. Ratification is a subsequent step post-signature, confirming a state's intent to be bound by the treaty's terms.
In the world of international law, both accession and ratification are vital processes. They ensure that treaties have a wide range of participants and are effectively implemented. Accession allows for inclusivity, letting states join ongoing conventions or agreements. Ratification ensures that signed agreements have the full backing of the respective states, lending them credibility and weight.
It's crucial to note that while both accession and ratification indicate an agreement to a treaty's terms, their requirements and implications might vary depending on the specific treaty or convention. Some treaties might come into force after a set number of ratifications, while others might have specific provisions related to accession.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Act of agreeing to or joining a treaty not initially participated in.
Formal approval, typically post-signature, binding the entity to terms.
Sequence
Can be an act by entities not part of the original drafting.
Follows initial signature by representatives.
Role
Allows latecomers to join an ongoing treaty or convention.
Provides formal and binding consent to a previously signed treaty.
Implication
Becoming a party to an existing treaty or agreement.
Confirming and solidifying intent to be legally bound by a treaty.
Associated Term
Signatory (if signed before accession).
Signatory (initial intent before ratification).
Compare with Definitions
Accession
The act of joining or agreeing to a treaty or convention.
The country's accession to the international convention was welcomed.
Ratification
Making a treaty or agreement officially valid.
Ratification of the peace accord ensured its implementation.
Accession
A new addition, as to a collection or group.
The museum's accession of ancient artifacts was notable.
Ratification
Formal approval or sanction.
The treaty awaited ratification by the Senate.
Accession
Formal approval or acceptance.
The accession of the new policy was smooth.
Ratification
The act of confirming or validating an act or decision.
The committee's decision needed ratification from the board.
Accession
The attainment of a dignity or rank
The queen's accession to the throne.
Ratification
Affirmation by expressing consent or approval.
The leader's ratification was necessary for the plan to proceed.
Accession
Something that has been acquired or added; an acquisition.
Ratification
The process by which an agreement gains formal validation.
The contract underwent ratification to be legally binding.
Accession
An increase by means of something added.
Ratification
Ratification is a principal's approval of an act of its agent that lacked the authority to bind the principal legally. Ratification defines the international act in which a state indicates its consent to be bound to a treaty if the parties intended to show their consent by such an act.
Accession
The addition to or increase in value of property by means of improvements or natural growth.
Ratification
To approve and give formal sanction to; confirm
The Senate ratified the treaty.
Accession
The right of a proprietor to ownership of such addition or increase.
Ratification
The act or process of ratifying, or the state of being ratified.
Accession
Agreement or assent.
Ratification
A formal declaration of agreement to a treaty etc.
Accession
Access; admittance.
Ratification
The act of ratifying; the state of being ratified; confirmation; sanction; as, the ratification of a treaty.
Accession
A sudden outburst.
Ratification
Making something valid by formally ratifying or confirming it;
The ratification of the treaty
Confirmation of the appointment
Accession
To record in the order of acquisition
A curator accessioning newly acquired paintings.
Accession
A coming to; the act of acceding and becoming joined.
A king's accession to a confederacy
Accession
Increase by something added; that which is added; augmentation from without.
Accession
(legal) A mode of acquiring property, by which the owner of a corporeal substance which receives an addition by growth, or by labor, has a right to the part or thing added, or the improvement (provided the thing is not changed into a different species).
Accession
(legal) The act by which one power becomes party to engagements already in force between other powers.
Accession
The act of coming to or reaching a throne, an office, or dignity.
Her accession to the throne
Accession
(medicine) The invasion, approach, or commencement of a disease; a fit or paroxysm.
Accession
Agreement.
Accession
Access; admittance.
Accession
A group of plants of the same species collected at a single location, often held in genebanks.
Accession
(Scotland) Complicity, concurrence or assent in some action.
Accession
(transitive) To make a record of (additions to a collection).
Accession
A coming to; the act of acceding and becoming joined; as, a king's accession to a confederacy.
Accession
Increase by something added; that which is added; augmentation from without; as, an accession of wealth or territory.
The only accession which the Roman empire received was the province of Britain.
Accession
A mode of acquiring property, by which the owner of a corporeal substance which receives an addition by growth, or by labor, has a right to the part or thing added, or the improvement (provided the thing is not changed into a different species). Thus, the owner of a cow becomes the owner of her calf.
Accession
The act of coming to or reaching a throne, an office, or dignity; as, the accession of the house of Stuart; - applied especially to the epoch of a new dynasty.
Accession
The invasion, approach, or commencement of a disease; a fit or paroxysm.
Accession
A process of increasing by addition (as to a collection or group);
The art collectin grew through accession
Accession
(civil law) the right to all of that which your property produces whether by growth or improvement
Accession
Something added to what you already have;
The librarian shelved the new accessions
He was a new addition to the staff
Accession
Agreeing with or consenting to (often unwillingly);
Accession to such demands would set a dangerous precedent
Assenting to the Congressional determination
Accession
The right to enter
Accession
The act of attaining or gaining access to a new office or right or position (especially the throne);
Elizabeth's accession in 1558
Accession
Make a record of additions to a collection, such as a library
Accession
Attaining a new rank or position.
The prince's accession to the throne was celebrated.
Accession
A process by which a country becomes part of an international agreement.
Through accession, the nation became a member of the trade agreement.
Common Curiosities
What is the primary difference between accession and ratification?
Accession is joining a treaty typically not participated in its drafting, while ratification is formal approval post-signature.
If a country doesn't ratify a treaty it signed, is it bound by it?
Typically, without ratification, a country isn't legally bound, though it may be expected not to act against the treaty's spirit.
What's the significance of ratification in international law?
It provides treaties with legitimacy, ensuring states are legally committed.
Do all treaties require ratification?
Not all, but many treaties require ratification to become legally binding.
Why might a country accede to a treaty later?
It may align with their interests later on, or political and social changes might prompt accession.
Can a country reverse its accession to a treaty?
Accession indicates agreement, but depending on the treaty, there might be provisions for withdrawal.
Can a country both accede to and ratify a treaty?
Yes, a country can accede to a treaty and later ratify it to be bound by its terms.
Can an entity be bound by a treaty without accession or ratification?
Generally, without accession or ratification, an entity isn't legally bound, but exceptions might exist based on treaty terms.
Why might a country delay ratification?
Domestic politics, legal considerations, or awaiting similar actions from other states can cause delays.
Is accession a one-time act?
For a specific treaty, yes. But a state can accede to multiple treaties separately.
Does every member of an international organization need to accede to its treaties?
Not necessarily. Membership in an organization doesn't automatically bind a state to all its treaties.
Who typically handles ratification in a country?
Often, the legislative body or parliament, but processes vary by country.
Can ratification be conditional?
Yes, some states might attach reservations or declarations to their ratification.
What happens if a country violates a treaty post-accession or ratification?
It could face international sanctions, disputes, or other consequences depending on the treaty.
Is the process of accession similar worldwide?
The basic principle is similar, but procedural details might vary by country and treaty.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
