# Narrator — The New State character guide > Narrator in The New State by Mary Parker Follett. **Role:** major **Also known as:** I, me, mine, myself **First appearance:** 0001-the-new-state ## Snapshot The first-person voice driving this inquiry, an author-lecturer who refuses to let 'the crowd' pass for democracy and insists we study the group instead. ## Who they are The narrator moves through the era's intellectual traffic — French Unanimistes, Ernest Poole's The Harbor, Bismarck's sneer about 'blubbering sentimentality' — sorting allies from the merely enthusiastic. The distinctive tension is impatience with two opposite camps: those who apotheosize the crowd and those who denounce it, both of whom, the narrator argues, ignore the group. That argument is the book's engine, and the narrator's insistence that togetherness must be method, not mood, sets the terms for everything that follows. ## Relationships ### [Mr. A](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/characters/mr_a) _psychological_ Mr. A dominates the narrator's consciousness, representing an internalized authority or ideological obsession that drives the narrative. ### [We the People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/characters/we_the_people) _social_ The narrator addresses and interacts with 'We the People' as a collective audience or abstract democratic entity. ### [Mr. B](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/characters/mr_b) _rivalry_ Mr. B serves as a counterpoint or antagonist to the narrator, often challenging or opposing the narrator's views. ### [Roscoe Pound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/characters/roscoe_pound) _professional_ The narrator references Roscoe Pound as a legal scholar and authority, engaging with his sociological jurisprudence. ### [Hegel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/characters/hegel) _psychological_ Hegel's dialectical philosophy deeply influences the narrator's thinking, serving as a foundational intellectual framework. ### [Mr. X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/characters/mr_x) _social_ Mr. X is a minor interlocutor or symbolic figure who appears in dialogue with the narrator. ### [T. H. Green](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/characters/t_h_green) _professional_ The narrator draws on T. H. Green's philosophy to support arguments about the state and individual freedom. ### [Jörn Uhl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/characters/jorn_uhl) _social_ The narrator briefly mentions Jörn Uhl as a character or example in the broader discussion. ### [Mr. A](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/characters/mr_a) _psychological_ Mr. A dominates the narrator's consciousness, representing an internalized authority or ideological obsession that drives the narrative. ### [Mr. A](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/characters/mr_a) _psychological_ Mr. A dominates the narrator's consciousness, representing an internalized authority or ideological obsession that drives the narrative. ### [Mr. B](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/characters/mr_b) _rivalry_ Mr. B serves as a counterpoint or antagonist to the narrator, often challenging or opposing the narrator's views. ### [We the People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/characters/we_the_people) _social_ The narrator addresses and interacts with 'We the People' as a collective audience or abstract democratic entity. ## In the story ### [The New State: Group Organization the Solution of Popular Government](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/the-new-state) The narrator presents the central thesis of the book, advocating for group organization as the solution to popular government. ### [Part I: The Group Principle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/part-i-the-group-principle) The narrator presents the group principle as a foundational concept for democracy. ### [I: The Group and the New Psychology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/i-the-group-and-the-new-psychology) The narrator presents the argument for a new psychology based on group association, critiques existing approaches, and illustrates points with personal anecdotes (e.g., attending a lecture on social psychology). ### [II: The Group Process: The Collective Idea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/ii-the-group-process-the-collective-idea) Describes the group process using first-person perspective and personal experience in committee meetings. ### [III: The Group Process: The Collective Idea (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/iii-the-group-process-the-collective-idea-continued) The narrator develops the theory of group process, critiquing imitation and like-mindedness, and advocating for unifying differences. ### [IV: The Group Process: The Collective Feeling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/iv-the-group-process-the-collective-feeling) Presents the analysis of the group process and the nature of true sympathy. ### [V: The Group Process: The Collective Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/v-the-group-process-the-collective-will) The narrator articulates the necessity of creating the collective will through group process. ### [VI: The Unity of the Social Process](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/vi-the-unity-of-the-social-process) Presents the argument for the unity of thought, will, and action in the social process. ### [VII: The Individual](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/vii-the-individual) Develops the central argument that the individual is a point in the social process, not a separate unit. ### [VIII: Who Is the Free Man?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/viii-who-is-the-free-man) The narrator articulates the redefinition of freedom as interpermeation with others and identification with the whole will. ### [IX: The New Individualism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/ix-the-new-individualism) Presents the argument for a new individualism rooted in collective life. ### [X: Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/x-society) The narrator presents the critique of individualism and the organic theory, advocating for a psychic conception of society. ### [XI: The Self-and-Others Illusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xi-the-self-and-others-illusion) The narrator reflects on the self-and-others illusion, using personal anecdotes (e.g., the Boston girl) to illustrate the fallacy of altruism and the need for a whole-imperative. ### [The Crowd Fallacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xii-the-crowd-fallacy) The narrator distinguishes between crowd and group, critiques crowd psychology, and advocates for group association. ### [XIII: The Secret of Progress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xiii-the-secret-of-progress) Argues that progress depends on cooperation and the group process, rejecting individualist and struggle-based theories of evolution. ### [The Group Principle at Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xiv-the-group-principle-at-work) The narrator presents observations on the group principle at work in education, immigration, criminal justice, and industrial relations, citing specific examples and authorities. ### [From Contract to Community](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xv-from-contract-to-community) Provides the overarching argument and synthesis of legal theories, advocating for a dynamic, community-based law. ### [Part II: The Traditional Democracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/part-ii-the-traditional-democracy) The narrator presents the critique of traditional democracy and its inadequacies. ### [XVI: Democracy Not “Liberty” and “Equality”: Our Political Dualism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xvi-democracy-not-liberty-and-equality-our-political-dualism) Presents the argument that democracy must be redefined through the group principle, rejecting natural rights and the individual-state dualism. ### [XVII: Democracy Not the Majority: Our Political Fallacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xvii-democracy-not-the-majority-our-political-fallacy) The narrator presents the critique of majority rule and advocates for group organization as the true method of democracy. ### [XVIII: Democracy Not the Crowd: Our Popular Delusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xviii-democracy-not-the-crowd-our-popular-delusion) The narrator argues against the crowd fallacy and advocates for group organization as the basis of true democracy. ### [XIX: The True Democracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xix-the-true-democracy) The narrator recounts a personal anecdote about a man who mistakenly equated enjoying talk with a workingman with being democratic, and articulates the vision of democracy as spiritual unity. ### [XX: The Growth of Democracy in America](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xx-the-growth-of-democracy-in-america) The narrator presents a historical analysis of democracy and individualism, critiquing false political philosophies and advocating for a true understanding of the individual's place in society. ### [XXI: After Direct Government—What?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xxi-after-direct-government-what) Argues that direct government must be based on group organization, not crowd rule, and that the corruption of politics stems from viewing the people as a crowd. ### [Part III: Group Organization Democracy’s Method](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/part-iii-group-organization-democracy-s-method) The narrator presents the argument for group organization as the method of democracy. ### [I: The Neighborhood Group](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/i-the-neighborhood-group) Presents the argument for neighborhood groups as the basis of democracy. ### [XXII: Neighborhood Needs the Basis of Politics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xxii-neighborhood-needs-the-basis-of-politics) Argues for neighborhood organization as the basis of politics, critiques vanity and selective group preferences, and emphasizes the importance of real, diverse community bonds. ### [An Integrated Neighborhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xxiii-an-integrated-neighborhood) The narrator describes the five ways to develop neighborhood consciousness and advocates for regular neighborhood meetings as a new political method. ### [Neighborhood Organization vs. Party Organization I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xxiv-neighborhood-organization-vs-party-organization-i) Articulates the vision of neighborhood organization as the vital current of political life, replacing party organization. ### [Neighborhood Organization vs. Party Organization II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xxv-neighborhood-organization-vs-party-organization-ii) The voice advocating for neighborhood organization and critiquing the current party system. ### [XXVI: Neighborhood Organization vs. Party Organization III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xxvi-neighborhood-organization-vs-party-organization-iii) Articulates the vision of neighborhood organization replacing party organization, emphasizing self-realization through community realization. ### [XXVII: From Neighborhood to Nation: The Unifying State](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xxvii-from-neighborhood-to-nation-the-unifying-state) Presents the argument for building the state from neighborhood groups upward, emphasizing individual responsibility and the need for actual participation. ### [II: The Occupational Group](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/ii-the-occupational-group) Presents the argument for occupational groups as key to democratic organization. ### [XXVIII: Political Pluralism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xxviii-political-pluralism) The author presents and critiques the pluralist school, advocating for a federalism that integrates neighborhood groups into a unifying state. ### [XXIX: Political Pluralism and Sovereignty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xxix-political-pluralism-and-sovereignty) The narrator articulates the theory of sovereignty as a psychological process emerging from group life, critiquing both pluralists and monists. ### [Political Pluralism and Functionalism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xxx-political-pluralism-and-functionalism) The narrator presents the central argument that the individual is the unit of politics and groups are the method, critiquing both pluralism and functionalism. ### [Political Pluralism and the True Federal State](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xxxi-political-pluralism-and-the-true-federal-state) The narrator presents the argument for a true federal state, critiquing pluralist theories and advocating for integration of groups. ### [XXXII: Political Pluralism (Concluded)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xxxii-political-pluralism-concluded) The narrator synthesizes pluralist insights and advocates for a unifying state, reflecting on personal experience of multiple allegiances. ### [XXXIII: Increasing Recognition of the Occupational Group](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xxxiii-increasing-recognition-of-the-occupational-group) The author presents the analysis and argument throughout the chapter. ### [Part III: The Dual Aspect of the Group](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/part-iii-the-dual-aspect-of-the-group) The narrator presents the dual aspect of groups, analyzing their internal and external dynamics. ### [The Moral State and Creative Citizenship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-moral-state-and-creative-citizenship) The narrator presents the argument for creative citizenship and neighborhood organization, urging a transformation of political and social methods. ### [XXXV: The World State](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/xxxv-the-world-state) Presents the argument for a world-state based on group psychology, redefining patriotism and sovereignty. ### [Appendix: The Training for the New Democracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/appendix) The narrator recounts personal experiences, including meeting little Michael in Paris and interactions with a successful business man, to illustrate points about education and group process. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/chapters/endnotes) Provides explanatory notes and cross-references throughout the endnotes. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/characters/narrator - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_new_state_se/characters