Special Interest Society: How Membership-based Organizations Shape America

Membership-based organizations play a central role in our society yet those studying voluntary associations fail to recognize their distinctive characteristics as their impact is profound and our understanding of them severely limited. By analyzing over 400 published histories, this book breaks new ground revealing why they emerge, what they do to shape nearly every profession, trade and personal avocation, and how they influence their members’ personal and professional… (more)

Membership-based organizations play a central role in our society yet those studying voluntary associations fail to recognize their distinctive characteristics as their impact is profound and our understanding of them severely limited. By analyzing over 400 published histories, this book breaks new ground revealing why they emerge, what they do to shape nearly every profession, trade and personal avocation, and how they influence their members’ personal and professional lives and that of the larger society.