Recent theoretical studies of the structure of light nuclei by the multi‐cluster model approach are reviewed. It is emphasized that the treatment based on the microscopic theory is very important, especially the proper treatment of the Pauli exclusion principle in describing two‐cluster interaction process. Various calculations on the 3&agr; problem of12C are compared each other with the stress on the reproduction of the coexistence phenomena of the shell and cluster structures. Many recent multi‐cluster approaches to the systems other than12C are discussed, showing a hopeful scope of this approach together with the future problems to be solved.