ABSTRACT
One of the oldest theoretical distinctions in the sociological analysis of systems of social relations is the distinction between ‘community’ and ‘association’. This distinction derives from the work of Tönnies (1955) and distinguishes between spontaneous organizations which involve the whole life of an individual, and organizations, more formal and deliberately purposive in their structure, usually directed towards a clear and specific goal. I believe that some distinction along these lines has to be made in sociological analysis, but I also believe that it has to be made considerably more subtle if it is to capture the variety, and, still more, to explain the dynamics, of the situation in Sparkbrook. I draw a distinction, therefore, between what we call ‘primary communities’ and associations.
