The New State · Chapter
XXVI: Neighborhood Organization vs. Party Organization III explained
This chapter argues that neighborhood organization must replace party organization by fostering a sense of shared responsibility and self-government.
What happens
This chapter argues that neighborhood organization must replace party organization by fostering a sense of shared responsibility and self-government. It critiques the delegation of responsibility in representative government, the failure of reform associations to truly empower people, and the superficiality of 'good vs. bad government' debates. Instead, it advocates for neighborhood groups as the means through which individuals become the city and nation, transforming duty into joyful participation and creating a living, intrinsic politics.
Themes in this chapter
Neighborhood Organization as the Political Unit
The chapter argues that neighborhood groups must replace party organizations, making the neighborhood the fundamental unit of political life and self-government.
Critique of Individualism and Particularism
Criticizes the delegation of responsibility and the separation of individuals from their community, advocating for a shared responsibility where each person is the city and nation.
Education for Social Citizenship and Group Life
Emphasizes that through neighborhood groups, men and women learn they are politics functioning, transforming duty into joyful service and community realization.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
Articulates the vision of neighborhood organization replacing party organization, emphasizing self-realization through community realization.
- We the People
Described as clever and desiring self-government, rejecting governments that disregard them, and capable of responsible citizenship through neighborhood groups.
- Tammany
Mentioned as winning in New York because the people voted against a government that seemed to disregard them, not for bad government.
- Mr. Mitchell
Referenced as losing the election in New York; advised to 'get nearer the people,' but the chapter argues government must identify with the people.
Key passages
“In neighborhood groups men can find that self-realization which becomes by the most wonderful miracle life can offer us community realization.”
Through neighborhood groups, individuals achieve personal fulfillment that miraculously transforms into collective community fulfillment.
Highlights the core argument that individual and community identity merge through neighborhood organization.
“What we need is a kind of government which will delegate the job but not the responsibility.”
Government should assign tasks to representatives while retaining ultimate responsibility in the people.
Critiques representative government's fallacy of delegating responsibility along with the job.
“The only way they have of expressing this is to vote against a government which seems to disregard them.”
People vote against governments that ignore them because they seek self-government, not merely good or bad government.
Explains the 1917 New York election as a demand for self-government rather than a preference for bad government.