The New State
Mary Parker Follett
Description
In the New State, management consultant and social theorist Mary Parker Follett investigates the problem of democracy in a pluralistic society. Follett contends that representative democracy has failed to allow citizens the opportunity to express their unique creativity. This goes hand in hand with a public life that is increasingly atomized and unsuited for genuine societal cooperation towards shared goals. In short, a new kind of societal organization is needed.
Follett draws on her experience with group organization to design a new democratic system to take advantage of people’s natural desire to belong to groups. Neighborhood groups, social groups, and professional groups all allow individuals to learn how to cooperate and to set and achieve goals that otherwise could not be completed. Though individuals differ in many important ways, this diversity can be a source of strength in groups in which pluralism is encouraged instead of uniformity. These kinds of inclusive groups can lend structure to a new form of governance: one that is creative, caring, and truly free.
Follett predicts that from small scale groups an ever-widening circle of larger and larger groups will bloom, encompassing local, state, national, and even international communities. Though certainly ambitious, her plan is meticulously crafted and persuasively argued both from an empiric and a philosophic point of view.
First published in 1919 at the end of World War I, Follett’s social theories have garnered renewed interest today, especially among advocates of a more participatory form of democracy.
Read free
This ebook is thought to be free of copyright restrictions in the United States. It may still be under copyright in other countries. If you’re not located in the United States, you must check your local laws to verify that this ebook is free of copyright restrictions in the country you’re located in before accessing, downloading, or using it.
Download for ereaders
-
Compatible epub — All devices and apps except Kindles and Kobos.
-
azw3 — Kindle devices and apps. Also download the Kindle cover thumbnail to see the cover in your Kindle’s library. Despite what you’ve been told, Kindle does not natively support epub. You may also be interested in our Kindle FAQ.
-
kepub — Kobo devices and apps. You may also be interested in our Kobo FAQ.
-
Advanced epub — An advanced format that uses the latest technology not yet fully supported by most ereaders.
Read online
A brief history of this ebook
More details
Sources
Transcriptions
Page scans
Improve this ebook
Anyone can contribute to make a Standard Ebook better for everyone!
To report typos, typography errors, or other corrections, see how to report errors.
If you’re comfortable with technology and want to contribute directly, check out this ebook’s GitHub repository and our contributors section.
You can also donate to Standard Ebooks to help fund continuing improvement of this and other ebooks.