Brian Burger wrote:
Don't forget that most professional colleges, associations, etc started
out as self-regulating bodies to maintain/improve the respectability of
the profession. The AMA & co sought to reduce the number of quack doctors;
more recently we've seen midwives, massage therapists & other
para-medicals organize in their sectors.

Actually, most organizations have their roots in the Guild system of
the Middle Ages. And the sole purpose of the Guilds were to protect
their members from unemployment. Not a member of the Guild? Sorry,
you can't [fill in the blank].