ABSTRACT
In professional circles, the arguments rage as to whether there are too many museums chasing limited resources, whether quantity and growth damage quality and sustainability, and whether new forms of partnership and co-operation are required to cater for a cost-effective scale of provision. Patterns of historical development and of current provision of course vary from country to country. In Europe, for example, it is estimated that for each museum that existed in 1950 there are some four today. In other parts of the world, museum development is only just beginning. Understanding the history of museum development in different parts of the world is an essential part of professional development.
