ABSTRACT
For society or any organisation to prosper there must be social cohesion; agreed arrangements about what is acceptable and/or productive behaviour. The oldest form of social organisation is the family group. Authority in family social organisations is usually vested in the elders and based on seniority; it is sometimes vested in one or a small group of families who are deemed to be the most significant. Another common and ancient form of organisation is that associated with religions. Beyond specific religious organisations, there is something called a theocracy. Once societies have grown beyond the possibility to manage on the basis of blood relations or religion, new forms of organisation must be found in order to create productive, social cohesion. The chapter argues that there are appropriately different types of organisational structures and systems according to the purpose of the organisation.
