This essay uses personal experience at the University of Sussex and as
Principal of Ruskin College since 1989, to argue that Creativity in a
ssociational form has been systematically marginalised as 'Mere Admini
stration' or even as Theology'. New forms and relations of production
(of ideas and culture as much as of material goods) depend upon organi
sational innovation. Max Weber's work, together with some of the best
1 9th and 20th century Social History (particularly of voluntary organ
isations) in Britain, together with the author's own experience all po
int to the importance of what Marx called 'Centres of Organisation for
the working class' which can do what 'the medieval municipalities and
communes did for the middle class'.