ABSTRACT
The first section begins by looking at research on associations in Africa to understand something about the different types which exist (i.e. their memberships, functions, objectives, systems of representation etc.), their relationship to one another and to society, and the scale at which they operate (e.g. local, national, transnational). To carry out their activities, all associations establish relationships with a host of secular, religious and political organizations (including government) which are influenced by, and in turn influence, the operation of the association.
