Accord vs. Treaty — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 15, 2024
An accord is a mutual agreement between parties not formalized by law, while a treaty is a formal, ratified agreement between sovereign states.
Difference Between Accord and Treaty
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An accord often refers to an informal agreement between two or more parties, aimed at achieving mutual understanding or cooperation on specific issues. While accords can be significant, they typically lack the formal ratification process that treaties undergo, which involves legal commitments recognized internationally.
Treaties, on the other hand, are formal agreements between two or more sovereign states. These are legally binding and subject to international law. Unlike accords, treaties require ratification by the participating countries' legislative bodies, making them more rigid and formalized agreements.
Accords can be flexible, allowing for adjustments and interpretations based on the needs of the parties involved. This flexibility can be advantageous in rapidly changing situations or where formal commitments are difficult to achieve. Whereas treaties, due to their formal ratification process, tend to be less flexible but provide a stronger legal foundation and certainty.
While accords may be executed with a broad intention of cooperation and mutual benefit, they do not carry the same legal weight as treaties. Treaties, because of their formal nature, have mechanisms for enforcement and dispute resolution, which accords generally lack.
The process of coming to an accord can be quicker and less cumbersome, as it does not necessarily involve the lengthy ratification process that is typical of treaties. This makes accords a more viable option for addressing immediate issues or for parties seeking less formal agreements. Conversely, the treaty process, with its emphasis on formal ratification, ensures a more thorough review and commitment by the parties involved, which can strengthen the agreement's durability and compliance.
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Comparison Chart
Formality
Informal, not requiring ratification
Formal, requires ratification by legislative bodies
Binding Nature
Generally non-binding or less formal
Legally binding under international law
Flexibility
More flexible, can be adjusted or interpreted easily
Less flexible, due to legal obligations and formalities
Enforcement
Lacks formal enforcement mechanisms
Contains mechanisms for enforcement and dispute resolution
Purpose
Aimed at cooperation or mutual understanding, often quickly executed
Formal agreements with specific legal obligations, aimed at long-term cooperation
Compare with Definitions
Accord
A mutual agreement between parties.
The two companies reached an accord on the merger.
Treaty
A formally ratified agreement between sovereign states.
The treaty of peace was signed after lengthy negotiations.
Accord
An agreement that is not legally binding.
They signed an accord that outlined their commitment to cooperate.
Treaty
A pact with mechanisms for enforcement and dispute resolution.
The treaty includes a clause for arbitration in disputes.
Accord
An informal arrangement without legal formalities.
The community leaders came to an accord to keep the peace.
Treaty
An agreement subjected to international oversight.
The treaty established a new trade bloc.
Accord
A provisional agreement before a formal treaty.
The accord served as a basis for the later treaty.
Treaty
A legal document binding parties to international law.
The treaty prohibits the use of chemical weapons.
Accord
A consensus or harmony in opinion or feeling.
The team worked in perfect accord on the project.
Treaty
A document requiring legislative ratification.
The senate debated the treaty for months before ratification.
Accord
To give or grant, especially as being due or appropriate
Accorded the president the proper deference.
Treaty
A treaty is a formal, legally binding written agreement between actors in international law. It is usually entered into by sovereign states and international organizations, but can sometimes include individuals, business entities, and other Legal persons.
Accord
(Archaic) To cause to conform or agree; bring into harmony.
Treaty
A formal written agreement between two or more nations.
Accord
To be in agreement, unity, or harmony.
Treaty
The document in which such an agreement is set down.
Accord
Agreement; harmony
Act in accord with university policies.
Treaty
(Archaic) Negotiation for the purpose of reaching an agreement.
Accord
A settlement or compromise between conflicting parties
The strikers and the owners reached an accord.
Treaty
A contract or agreement.
Accord
Spontaneous or voluntary desire to take a certain action
The children returned on their own accord. He confessed of his own accord.
Treaty
An entreaty.
Accord
Agreement or concurrence of opinion, will, or action.
Treaty
A formal binding agreement concluded by subjects of international law, namely, states and international organizations; a convention, a pact.
To sign a peace treaty
To write up a treaty touching climate change
Accord
A harmony in sound, pitch and tone; concord.
Treaty
(archaic)
Accord
Agreement or harmony of things in general.
The accord of light and shade in painting
Treaty
(uncountable) Chiefly in in treaty: discussions or negotiations in order to reach an agreement.
Accord
A distinctive mixture of fragrances or the odor thereof.
Treaty
(countable) Chiefly in private treaty: an agreement or settlement reached following negotiations; a compact, a contract, a covenant.
Accord
(legal) An agreement between parties in controversy, by which satisfaction for an injury is stipulated, and which, when executed, prevents a lawsuit.
Treaty
(obsolete)
Accord
(international law) An international agreement.
The Geneva Accord of 1954 ended the French-Indochinese War.
Treaty
(uncountable) The manner or process of treating someone or something; treatment; also, the manner in which someone or something acts or behaves; behaviour.
Accord
(obsolete) Assent
Treaty
(uncountable) The addressing or consideration of a subject; discussion, treatment.
Accord
Voluntary or spontaneous impulse to act.
Nobody told me to do it. I did it of my own accord.
Treaty
(countable) A formal, systematic discourse on some subject; a treatise.
Accord
(transitive) To make to agree or correspond; to suit one thing to another; to adjust.
Treaty
(countable) An act of beseeeching or entreating; an entreaty, a plea, a request.
Accord
(transitive) To bring (people) to an agreement; to reconcile, settle, adjust or harmonize.
Treaty
(transitive) To get into (a specific situation) through a treaty.
Accord
(intransitive) To agree or correspond; to be in harmony; to be concordant.
Treaty
(intransitive) To enter into a treaty.
Accord
(intransitive) To agree in pitch and tone.
Treaty
The act of treating for the adjustment of differences, as for forming an agreement; negotiation.
He cast by treaty and by trainsHer to persuade.
Accord
To grant as suitable or proper; to concede or award.
Treaty
An agreement so made; specifically, an agreement, league, or contract between two or more nations or sovereigns, formally signed by commissioners properly authorized, and solemnly ratified by the several sovereigns, or the supreme power of each state; an agreement between two or more independent states; as, a treaty of peace; a treaty of alliance.
Accord
To give consent.
Treaty
A proposal tending to an agreement.
Accord
To arrive at an agreement.
Treaty
A treatise; a tract.
Accord
Agreement or concurrence of opinion, will, or action; harmony of mind; consent; assent.
A mediator of an accord and peace between them.
These all continued with one accord in prayer.
Treaty
A written agreement between two states or sovereigns
Accord
Harmony of sounds; agreement in pitch and tone; concord; as, the accord of tones.
Those sweet accords are even the angels' lays.
Accord
Agreement, harmony, or just correspondence of things; as, the accord of light and shade in painting.
Accord
Voluntary or spontaneous motion or impulse to act; - preceded by own; as, of one's own accord.
That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap.
Of his own accord he went unto you.
Accord
An agreement between parties in controversy, by which satisfaction for an injury is stipulated, and which, when executed, bars a suit.
They rushed with one accord into the theater.
Accord
To make to agree or correspond; to suit one thing to another; to adjust; - followed by to.
Her hands accorded the lute's music to the voice.
Accord
To bring to an agreement, as persons; to reconcile; to settle, adjust, harmonize, or compose, as things; as, to accord suits or controversies.
When they were accorded from the fray.
All which particulars, being confessedly knotty and difficult can never be accorded but by a competent stock of critical learning.
Accord
To grant as suitable or proper; to concede; to award; as, to accord to one due praise.
Accord
To agree; to correspond; to be in harmony; - followed by with, formerly also by to; as, his disposition accords with his looks.
My heart accordeth with my tongue.
Thy actions to thy words accord.
Accord
To agree in pitch and tone.
Accord
Harmony of people's opinions or actions or characters;
The two parties were in agreement
Accord
Concurrence of opinion;
We are in accord with your proposal
Accord
A written agreement between two states or sovereigns
Accord
Sympathetic compatibility
Accord
Go together;
The colors don't harmonize
Their ideas concorded
Accord
Allow to have;
Grant a privilege
Common Curiosities
What is a treaty?
A treaty is a formal, legally binding agreement between sovereign states, recognized under international law.
What is an accord?
An accord is an informal agreement between two or more parties, aimed at mutual understanding or cooperation.
Are accords legally binding?
Accords are generally not legally binding or are less formal than treaties.
Can treaties be enforced?
Yes, treaties have mechanisms for enforcement and dispute resolution.
Do treaties require international ratification?
Yes, treaties require ratification by the legislative bodies of the sovereign states involved.
Do accords have a formal enforcement mechanism?
No, accords generally lack formal enforcement mechanisms.
How do accords and treaties differ in terms of formality?
Accords are informal and do not require ratification, whereas treaties are formal and require ratification by legislative bodies.
Are treaties flexible?
Treaties are less flexible than accords due to their formal legal obligations and requirements.
Can non-sovereign entities enter into treaties?
Typically, treaties are between sovereign states, though international organizations can also be parties to treaties under certain conditions.
What makes a treaty legally binding?
The formal ratification process and its recognition under international law make a treaty legally binding.
Why might parties choose an accord over a treaty?
Parties might prefer an accord for its flexibility, speed, and the lesser degree of commitment required.
How are disputes resolved in treaties?
Treaties often contain specific clauses for arbitration or other forms of dispute resolution.
Can accords lead to treaties?
Yes, accords can serve as provisional agreements that lay the groundwork for formal treaties.
How do treaties impact international relations?
Treaties formalize relationships between states, establishing legal obligations that can enhance cooperation, resolve conflicts, and shape international norms.
Can accords be part of international law?
While accords can influence international relations, they do not usually constitute formal parts of international law like treaties.
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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.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
