Brandon C.
PAF 602 (Fall 2008)

Abstract

Follett, M. P. (1998). The New State: Group Organization the Solution of Popular Government. Pennsylvania State University Press.

Mary Parker Follett’s The New State is a declaration of unity over individualism and neighborhood groups over party organizations. Follett attests that our representative government has failed and that democracy, “by the numbers” is not a true democracy. “…no one can give us democracy, we must learn democracy,” (p. 22) and according to Follett, that learned democracy is experienced in neighborhood groups. Within these groups, individuals come together and harmonize their ideas and needs into collective will and action. To Follett, this is the foundation of a popular democracy.

Follett’s core idea of the group is predicated upon the notion that the individual is not truly individual, but rather is created buy the social precess. Because we are all related, defined and exist through society, the definition of individuality is, “finding my place in the whole.” (p. 65). Given the dependance of the individual on society, Follett sees the interest and aim of the individual as being, “one” (p. 140) with that of the state. Despite our different needs and ideas, by collectively creating harmony and group thoughts rather than like mindedness and agreement, we have a greater capacity for connectedness and will for action. Put simply, “In crowds we have unison, in groups harmony. We wan the single voice but not the single note; that is the secret of the group” (p. 86).

Political parties are antithetical to Follet’s new state. She sees parties at odds with the group and claims that they kill originality and are, “…not interested in men but in voters…” (p. 166). Groups  and parties respectively represent real versus pseudo unity, genuine versus non-genuine pubic opinion, and responsible government versus the irresponsible party. The successful organization of neighborhood groups has the power to topple political parties in favor of popular democracy.

The New State gives to Public Administration an alternative perspective to the meaning and action of democracy. It attempts to break down the individualistic goals of people and the power of parties to suggest a more fundamental means of idea creation and activism through neighborhood and group associations.

Critique

I found the ideas in The New State to be quite insightful and thought provoking. Initially, some of Mary Parker Follett’s reasoning seemed to be somewhat baffling to me. Though the more I stepped back and though about it, the more it made sense. Her thoughts on individualism (or the lack there of), the crowd/group distinction, and the pejorative role of parties were relatively unique and quite thoughtful.

Follett’s distinctions between crowds and groups where particularly interesting to me. I had never before thought to make such distinctions with regard to individual thought processes of either one; collective ideas versus agreement and like mindedness:

There are no differences in the crowd mind. Each person is swept away and does not stop to find out his own difference. In crowds we have unison, in groups harmony. We want the single voice but not the single note; that is the secret of the group (p. 86).

Despite the many thought provoking ideas presented by Follett, I am not sure that I am entirely sold on the concept of neighborhood groups as the foundation of popular democracy. Throughout the book, I kept thinking how idyllic the notion of a collective idea and will sounded. At times, Follett makes it seem like no matter what our differences in ideas, opinions, and wants may be, as long as we come together and share them, we can have “harmony.”

Perhaps it was because she was writing during one of the greatest wars in human history and felt a sense of shared purpose. However, the last time I sat down to share my ideas on society with a person from a political party opposite my own, the only idea we “collectively” generated was to end the conversation. Additionally, I feel that mainstream political parties and special interest groups are much to powerful for even associations of neighborhood groups to make any sort of meaningful impact with regard to the major issues facing us today (energy, economy, etc.). I think Follett’s ideas are very good but I simply cannot see them working in a practical sense in today’s world; and that is truly unfortunate.

Tags: abstract, critique, democracy, mary parker follett, Progressive, the new state