Ideologies, Roles and Aspirations, the Doctrine of the Professions: Basis of a Power Structure

An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 8th World Congress of the International Sociological Assoc in Toronto Aug 1974. An analysis of the basis of power of the professions, the mechanisms by which it operates, & its effects is presented. Drawing on various authors, several features are isolated & examined to form the basis of 'the doctrine of the professions'. The logical structure of the doctrine rests on premises of specialized knowledge & service orientation. From these premises are derived 5 corollaries: (1) autonomy, (2) monopoly, (3) control over selection, training, & qualification of members, (4) relatively high incomes, & (5) control of supplementary occupations. The corollaries are valid empirical generalizations which reflect prerogatives of power, while the premises are post hoc justifications that lack empirical validity. The reciprocal relationship between the general elitist ideology of Western society & the doctrine of the professions furnishes a necessary, but not sufficient condition for the power opportunities of the professions. The other condition is the educational system, especially the professional faculties of the U's, which performs an eliminatory function as well as certification. Professional organizations perform the task of legalizing professional prerogatives by influencing members of the executive & legislative powers who share the same elitist outlook; they agree that degrees & diplomas form the legitimate basis of social power & that this power is used by professionals for the good of society. A new perspective for the study of the forces at work behind professionalization lies in the analysis of their organizational strategy, combined with a SofK approach. In view of the experiences of Latin American & other industrializing countries, the process of professionalization must be viewed in the context of deliberate promotion or hindrance of social change. J. N. Mayer.