Abstract
The main elements in the management of friendly societies are described, with due regard to their historical development. The evolution of the movement is traced from the late 19th century to its peak in 1953 when the ratio of society members to population reached 23 percent, as well as the subsequent decline which brought the membership down to about 5 percent of the population in the 1970s. Although sundry variables are mentioned as possible determinants of the decline of the movement, a pivotal role has been attributed to management. Consequently, an analysis is made of several managerial deficiencies, and the conclusion drawn that only appropriate public policy could rescue friendly societies to enable them to con tinue playing a supplementary role in the field of social security.
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