Abstract

The article begins by highlighting the recent more critical approach to professions in the Anglo-American context both in sociology and in the wider society which has, amongst other things, exposed their interest-based role and challenged their orientation to the public interest. This has prompted governments and other parties in the modern world to consider further regulatory means of enhancing their operation beyond simply state-sanctioned self-regulation. Using metaphors from the animal kingdom—including zoos, circuses, and safari parks—to understand different approaches to professional regulation, the article examines their applicability from a neo-Weberian perspective. The metaphors are illustrated with reference to a detailed case study of the regulation of healthcare professions in England. In light of the analysis, the article considers the value of such metaphors and the light they throw on how professional groups may best be managed in society in future, including in relation to their organizational implications.