“Riggs’ prismatic–sala model is still relevant to understand the administrative challenges of developing societies.” Discuss.

Introduction

The prismatic-sala model was put up by Fred W. Riggs in his study on comparative public administration to explain the administrative characteristics of transitional countries.  He maintained that the sociopolitical context of administration is essential to understanding it.  The sala model depicted the administrative structure in these situations, whereas the prismatic model reflected civilisations that are neither entirely contemporary nor traditional.

Core Theoretical Framework

Riggs identified formalism, nepotism, overlapping roles, corruption, and heterogeneity as the main traits of the prismatic-sala society.  While formalism emphasised the significant discrepancy between regulations and real-world behaviours, heterogeneity represented the coexistence of contemporary and classic institutions.  A single office or individual carrying out contradictory tasks is referred to as having overlapping jobs, which frequently results in inefficiencies.  These characteristics were especially evident in developing countries where traditional norms and new bureaucratic systems found it difficult to coexist.

Application in Indian Context

The methodology developed by Riggs is still very applicable in the Indian setting. In domains like environmental controls, where rules are strong but enforcement is lax, formality is apparent. In the civil services, where officers balance welfare and regulatory duties, overlapping tasks are evident. Another key characteristic is corruption, which shows up in programs like the Public Distribution System (PDS) or MGNREGA, where reports of money leaks and misuse have been made. Caste and kinship networks still have an impact on administrative behaviour in politics, demonstrating the persistence of traditional systems in contemporary institutions.

Critical Analysis

Riggs’ model is not without its detractors, though. Academics contend that it ignores the advancements made possible by globalisation, technology, and reforms and overgeneralises the administrative circumstances of developing nations. For instance, some of the rigidities Riggs noted have been lessened in India because to digital governance and participatory institutions. Furthermore, the model is thought to be static and inadequate for explaining dynamic processes like the New Public Management (NPM) paradigm, decentralisation, and globalisation.

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