The new state : $b Group organization the solution of popular governmentFollett, Mary Parker
Science
The new state : $b Group organization the solution of popular government
Follett, Mary Parker
Democracy; Political participation; Social psychology; State, The
If we have, however, among this group “like-response,” that is if there
spring up like thoughts and feelings, we find a more dignified and
worthy life—fellowship claims us with all its joys and its enlargement
of our single self. But there is no progress here. We give ourselves up
to the passive enjoyment of that already existing. We have found our
kindred and it comforts us. How much greater enhancement comes from that
life foreshadowed by the new psychology where each one is to go forth
from his group a richer being because each one has taken and put into
its right membership all the vital differences of all the others. The
like-mindedness which the new psychology demands is the like-mindedness
which is brought about by the enlargement of each by the inflowing of
every other one. Then I go forth a new creature. But to what do I go
forth? Always to a new group, a new “society.” There is no end to this
process. A new being springs forth from every fresh contact. My nature
opens and opens to thousands of new influences. I feel countless new
births. Such is the glory of our common every-day life.
Imitation is for the shirkers, like-mindedness for the comfort lovers,
unifying for the creators.
The lesson of the new psychology is then: Never settle down within the
theory you have chosen, the cause you have embraced; know that another
theory, another cause exists, and seek that. The enhancement of life is
not for the comfort-lover. As soon as you succeed—real success means
something arising to overthrow your security.
In all the discussion of “similarity” too much importance has been put
upon analogies from the animal world.[13] We are told, for instance, and
important conclusions are drawn in regard to human society, that the
gregarious instinct of any animal receives satisfaction only through the
presence of animals similar to itself, and that the closer the
similarity the greater the satisfaction. True certainly for animals, but
it is this fact which keeps them mere animals. As far as the irrational
elements of life give way to the rational, interpenetration becomes the
law of association. Man’s biological inheritance is not his only life.
And the progress of man means that this inheritance shall occupy a less
and less important place relatively.
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