Guilds were something very different. They were oligarchic rather than democratic: only masters were full members. They were monopolies rather than competing i

Guilds were something very different. They were oligarchic rather than democratic: only masters were full members. They were monopolies rather than competing in the market: you had to be a member of the relevant guild if you wanted to do business. And they were not businesses: each master ran their own business instead of working for the guild.