Public Administration Mains 2017 : Model Question and Answer - 50
Public Administration Mains 2017 : Model Question and Answer
(Public Administration Paper I / Chapter: Comparative Public Administration)
(Important) Question :
The prismatic model of Riggs is equally applicable to developing as well as
developed society. Comment . (10 Marks/150 Words)
Model Answer :
Fred Riggs defined prismatic model of society as intermediary between fused society and diffracted society .It Identified with attainment of values, selectivism in societal interaction and polyfunctionalism. Its Important characteristics are heterogeneity i.e coexistence of opposite views and institutions, formalism- difference between prescribed values and functions and effective values and functions, overlapping -coexistence of formally differentiated structure of diffracted types with undifferentiated structures of fused type.
Both developed and developing societies exhibit these traits depending upon the extent of integration and differentiation characterizing development as per Riggs. Developing society has considerable differentiation but less integration. Developed society has great differentiation and integration. Both societies experience continuous change towards achievement of values, universalism and speciality in various domains, hence can be analysed by prismatic model.
However, Riggs considered America a developed society as ideal and diffracted and developing societies as prismatic and turbulent. Application of negative formalism can be observed in Riggsian Prismatic Model which is not in tandem with reality as per administrative scholars. (Total Words- 164)
(Linkages : Riggs and Prismatic Model, Prismatic Model and Developing Society, Prismatic Model and Developed Society)