This book is an original interpretation of the professions and the role of the professional in Western industrial societies today.

'This is a useful, indeed an important book.' British Medical Journal

Eliot Freidson is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at New York University. His work on the professions is well known throughout the international academic community. He is the author of many books including Profession of Medicine (University of Chicago Press, 1988) and Professional Powers (Chicago, 1986).

Acknowledgements. Introduction. Part I: Clarifying the Concepts. 1. The Theory of the Professions: State of the Art. 2. How Dominant are the Professions?. Part II: Elements of a Theory of Professionalism. 3. The Division of Labor as Social Interaction. 4. Professions and the Occupational Principle. 5. Occupational Autonomy and Labor Market Shelters. Part III: Prophesying the Future of Professions. 6. Professionalization and the Organization of Middle-Class Labor in Post-Industrial Society. 7. The Futures of Professionalization. 8. The Changing Nature of Professional Control. Part IV: Choosing Professionalism as Social Policy. . 9. Are Professions Necessary?. 10. Profession as Model and Ideology. 11. The Centrality of Professionalism to Health Care Policy. 12. Nourishing Professionalism. Index.