This book discusses Continental and Anglo-Saxon traditions in the analysis of professionalism, professional work and its practitioners. Issues of definition and conceptualization are discussed in a frame for comparing Continental and Anglo-Saxon conditions and traditions. The approach is mainly historical in the first part about the origins and development of professions, and in the second part about contemporary alterations, legitimacy, discretionary power and internationalization. Throughout there is a major emphasis on the organizational aspects of professions and professional work.  Authors from Continental Europe, Scandinavia, Britain and the USA use historical and contemporary examples, and empirical research from a number of different professional occupations, to examine and discuss central conceptual issues and debates. It offers a much-needed comparative analysis of professionalism and professions for academics, students and policy-makers interested in professional work.