ABSTRACT
Discussions of the formation of a British sociological association began in 1950. Right from the start the issue of professionalism was on the agenda. The promoters of the new association were generally agreed that there should be a two-tier membership distinguishing those potential supporters who had technical qualifications – academic, practical, or publications – though not necessarily in sociology, from those who lacked qualifications and simply had an interest in sociology. The vision of the Association as a learned society began to fade, and with it the goal of maintaining standards and advancing knowledge that had been one of the objectives of the Association's founders. The policy of the Association came to be more concerned with maintaining and increasing its membership, and with ensuring that within its own ranks all members had an equal opportunity to participate and decide.
