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Cover of The new state : $b Group organization the solution of popular government

The new state : $b Group organization the solution of popular government

Written by Mary Parker Follett

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State, TheSocial psychologyDemocracyPolitical participation

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About this book

"The New State: Group Organization the Solution of Popular Government" by M. P. Follett is a political treatise written in the early 20th century. The work addresses the pressing political dilemmas of its time, emphasizing the inadequacies of representative democracy and advocating for a new method of governance through group organization. The book explores the dynamics of collective human relationships and how they can foster true individual expression and democratic governance. At the start of the book, Follett outlines a vision for a reformed political system, arguing that traditional democracy has failed to live up to its potential due to its reliance on mechanical forms of organization, such as party systems and majority rule, which overlook the complexity of human relationships. He contends that genuine democracy must be rooted in the "group process," where individuals come together, influenced by one another’s ideas and experiences, to create a collective will. Through this opening section, Follett sets the stage for a more integrated and participatory approach to governance, asserting that the future of democracy depends on recognizing the interconnected nature of individuals within society.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The new state : $b Group organization the solution of popular government, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 12 hours
  • advanced
  • philosophical
  • analytical
  • visionary

Mary Parker Follett's "The New State" is a seminal early 20th-century political treatise challenging the prevailing models of representative democracy. Follett argues that traditional democratic structures, characterized by party systems and majority rule, are inherently flawed because they fail to foster genuine collective will and individual integration. Instead, she proposes a radical vision of governance rooted in the 'group process,' where individuals actively engage in face-to-face interaction, influencing and integrating differences to create a dynamic, evolving collective. This approach, she contends, is the true path to popular government, enabling authentic individual expression and a more robust, participatory democracy that transcends mechanical forms of organization.

“The essence of democracy is the creation of the group idea.”

Key themes

The Power of the Group Process and Integration
This is Follett's central solution, advocating for face-to-face interaction within groups as the crucible for generating true collective will. 'Integration' is presented as the dynamic process of synthesizing differing viewpoints to create novel solutions that satisfy all parties, moving beyond compromise or domination.
The Failure of Mechanical Democracy
Follett's foundational theme is a scathing critique of traditional representative democracy, which she labels 'mechanical.' She argues that systems based on party politics, majority rule, and individual voting fail to capture the complexity of human interaction and lead to division, superficial consensus, and suppressed individuality rather than genuine collective will.
The Individual and the Collective
Follett challenges the traditional dichotomy between individual freedom and collective authority. She argues that true individuality is not sacrificed but rather enhanced and fully realized through active, integrative participation in the collective. The group provides the context for the individual's growth and expression.

Worth discussing

How does Follett's critique of 'mechanical democracy' resonate with contemporary political challenges, such as polarization or voter apathy?

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