Prophet of Participation: Mary Parker Follett and Public Participation in Public Administration

While there seems to be widespread agreement in the public administration community on the importance of public participation, there is no consensus about what we mean when we use the term. This paper argues that we go back to the writings of Mary Follett (1868-1933) to inform the future of public participation. Although her political writings are now eighty years old, they have never been more relevant. This paper demonstrates how Follett provides concrete answers to some of the primary questions of public participation today. Follett's notions of circular response and integration, along with her thesis of neighborhood organization as a vehicle for democratic governance speak directly to the practice of a more democratic public administration.