Fred Riggs’ fused-prismatic-diffracted model is an equilibrium model of development. Comment.

Answer: Riggs belong to the ecological school of thought in the discipline of public administration, Riggs is also considered the father of comparative school. He is known for propounding ideal models and those ideal models and these ideal models were based on
ecological, empirical and nomothetic approaches.
His aim was to establish a universal theory of public administration based on descriptive, empirical and ecological perspective. Riggs followed a general systems approach and structural–functional approach to explain the model. It represents underdeveloped, developed
and developing countries.

Traditional agricultural, folk societies are fused, industrial societies are diffracted and intermediate ones are fused. The classification is based on the level of specialization amongst them which Riggs calls as differentiation. Thus, fused society is where a single structure performs many functions and diffracted one is where a single structure performs limited functions.

However, the ideal model of Riggs has been criticized by Hahn Ben Lee and Daya Krishna as being the equilibrium model or a static model of development. As it assumes that a diffracted society is the final stage of development and that all development happens only between the
transition from fused to diffracted society.
Although he was giving a developmental model, it is a static model as he explained the process of development between fused and diffracted as if diffracted society would not change. This was especially an issue as even the western countries like the US which had issues like racism,
inequality were considered perfect and final with no further scope for development. But development is a never ending and change oriented concept.
Further his model is descriptive and explains only the issues of what is wrong with prismatic society. It doesn’t come up with the right prescription as to how development can be expedited and change can be brought in society.
However, still this theory is considered as a relevant ideal model as it explains features of developing countries. There was already ideal bureaucracy for developed countries therefore, this theory is relevant for comparison, administrative reform and public policy improvement.

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