The importance of ontology to social theory is emerging in a variety of fields associated with political theory, including public administration. This article explores the ontological underpinnings of Follett's theory of governance, including both political and administrative theory. The observation of similarities between Follett's concepts and those of Whitehead's process philosophy led to the discovery that they were indeed contemporaries who mutually influenced one another's work, with Follett focusing on the social and Whitehead focusing on the physical. This article interprets and analyzes their key principles, finding a shared ontology that understands becoming as a relational process; difference as being related, yet unique; and the purpose of becoming as harmonizing difference. Together, these concepts prefigure a political form that can be called Follettian governance-facilitation of a way of living together through a relational process of becoming unique individuals, collectively engaged in an ongoing process of harmonizing differences through interlocking networks, to progress as both individuals and a society.

As the 113th Congress begins to tackle the issues of the day, men and women alike celebrate the inclusion of a record number of women representatives. The historic numbers indicate progress, but the reality is that women compose slightly more than half of the national population but less than twenty percent of the national legislative representatives. Women fare slightly better at the state level, holding just under a quarter of state legislative seats and executive offices. In this study we explore the challenges faced and advances made by women in attaining statewide executive office in rural states by examining how they have fared in Appalachia and particularly West Virginia. We integrate theoretical understandings and statistical data with lived experiences gleaned from personal interviews conducted with the women who have held executive office in West Virginia.

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