Historically, secret societies have been the subject of suspicion and speculation from non-members since the time of the ancient Greeks.
Some countries have banned of secret political parties and political organizations. Does this protect the citizens from secret societies? Or, does this give the government too much control?
International organizations
While not self-styled as secret societies, these groups are often discussed in that context.
* Bilderberg Group
* Club of Rome
* Neurocam
* Order Militia Crucifera Evangelica
* Rhodes-Milner Round Table Groups
* Rosicrucians
* Trilateral Commission
* Council on Foreign Relations
Religious
* Compagnie du Saint-Sacrement
* Order of the Solar Temple
* Ordo Templi Orientis
* Temple of Set
Other
* Broederbond
* Bohemian Club
* The Komala
* P2
* Seven Sages
* P.E.O. Sisterhood
* The Posse
* The Veiled Prophet Organization in St. Louis, Missouri. [1]
Criminal organizations
* Al Qaeda
* Camorra
* Ku Klux Klan
* Mafia (also known as \"La Cosa Nostra\")
* Mara Salvatrucha
* 'Ndrangheta
* Sacra Corona Unita
* Thuggee
* Tong
* Triad
* Yakuza
Historical secret societies
* Assassins
* Beati Paoli
* Gladio
* Hellfire Club
* Illuminati
* The Knights' Order
* Kizilbash
* Knights of the Golden Circle
* Krypteia
* Molly Maguires
* Society of the Elect
* SPK
* Thule Society
* Tiandihui
Collegiate secret societies
Are on another list.
Revolutionary organizations
* Black Hand
* Carbonari
* Irish Republican Brotherhood
* Fenian Brotherhood
* Germanenorden
* Katipunan
* Logia Lautaro
* Mau Mau
* Muslim Brotherhood
* Righteous Harmony Society
* Sons of Liberty
* Tatenokai
* Tongmenghui
* Vihan Veljet
* Walhalla-orden
* White Rose Society
Alleged secret societies
Either the existence of these, or their status, is subject to significant doubt. See also Secret societies in popular culture
* Angelic Society
* Majestic 12
* Nine Unknown Men
* Priory of Sion
* Vril Society
* Skull and Dagger
* The School of Night