Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Fred Riggs, a prominent scholar of comparative public administration, posited that Development Administration and Administrative Development share a ‘chicken and egg’ relationship. This implies a cyclical interdependence where administrative reforms intended to foster development (Development Administration) are contingent upon the existing administrative capacity, while improvements in administrative capacity (Administrative Development) are driven by the demands of a developing nation. Traditionally, Development Administration focused on using public administration techniques to achieve developmental goals, while Administrative Development aimed at modernizing the administrative apparatus. This interplay, as Riggs argued, is crucial for effective governance and socio-economic progress.
Defining the Terms
Development Administration, as conceived in the 1960s, refers to the process of using public administration techniques to implement programs aimed at socio-economic development. It’s proactive, focusing on achieving specific developmental outcomes like poverty reduction, infrastructure development, and improved healthcare.
Administrative Development, conversely, is the process of improving the administrative capabilities of the state – enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, and responsiveness. It’s reactive, responding to the needs and challenges arising from the development process.
The Interdependent Relationship
Riggs’ ‘chicken and egg’ analogy highlights that neither Development Administration nor Administrative Development can succeed in isolation.
- Administrative Development enabling Development Administration: A weak, corrupt, or inefficient administrative system hinders the effective implementation of development programs. For example, the failure of land reforms in India (post-independence) was partly due to a lack of administrative capacity at the local level to accurately assess land ownership and enforce regulations.
- Development Administration driving Administrative Development: The demands of implementing complex development programs often expose weaknesses in the administrative system, necessitating reforms. The launch of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in 2005, for instance, revealed deficiencies in payment systems, grievance redressal mechanisms, and monitoring, leading to subsequent administrative improvements.
Riggs’ Prismatic-Salaam Model & the Relationship
Riggs’ prismatic-salaam model further illustrates this relationship. The ‘salaam’ represents the traditional, pre-industrial administrative system characterized by patrimonialism and diffused power. The ‘prism’ represents the modernizing administrative system attempting to adopt Western models. Development Administration attempts to push the system towards the prism, but this process necessitates Administrative Development to strengthen the prism’s facets – rule of law, meritocracy, and efficiency. Without strengthening these facets, the prism remains weak and unable to effectively channel developmental efforts.
Examples Illustrating the Interplay
| Program/Initiative | Administrative Development Need | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| National Health Mission (NHM) | Strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure, training healthcare workers, improving supply chain management. | Improved maternal and child health indicators, increased access to healthcare services. |
| Digital India Initiative | Developing digital literacy, establishing robust cybersecurity infrastructure, ensuring data privacy. | Increased digital transactions, improved access to government services online, enhanced transparency. |
| Swachh Bharat Abhiyan | Capacity building of local bodies for waste management, behavioral change communication, monitoring and evaluation. | Increased toilet coverage, improved sanitation practices, reduced open defecation. |
Challenges and Contemporary Relevance
Despite the theoretical elegance of Riggs’ model, several challenges persist. Bureaucratic inertia, political interference, and a lack of resources can hinder both Development Administration and Administrative Development. Furthermore, the rise of New Public Management (NPM) and New Public Service (NPS) paradigms have introduced new complexities, emphasizing market-based approaches and citizen-centricity, respectively. These paradigms require administrative systems to be agile, responsive, and capable of collaborating with non-state actors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Riggs’ observation about the ‘chicken and egg’ relationship between Development Administration and Administrative Development remains profoundly relevant. Effective development requires a synergistic approach where administrative reforms are driven by developmental needs, and administrative capacity is continuously strengthened to meet those needs. A holistic strategy that addresses both the ‘hardware’ (structures and processes) and ‘software’ (attitudes and values) of the administrative system is essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive development.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.