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ASSIGNMENT SOLUTIONS GUIDE (2014-2015)

M.P.A.-11
State, Society and Public Administration
Disclaimer/Special Note: These are just the sample of the Answers/Solutions to some of the Questions given in the
Assignments. These Sample Answers/Solutions are prepared by Private Teacher/Tutors/Auhtors for the help and Guidance
of the student to get an idea of how he/she can answer the Questions of the Assignments. We do not claim 100% Accuracy
of these sample Answers as these are based on the knowledge and cabability of Private Teacher/Tutor. Sample answers
may be seen as the Guide/Help Book for the reference to prepare the answers of the Question given in the assignment. As
these solutions and answers are prepared by the private teacher/tutor so the chances of error or mistake cannot be denied.
Any Omission or Error is highly regretted though every care has been taken while preparing these Sample Answers/
Solutions. Please consult your own Teacher/Tutor before you prepare a Particular Answer & for uptodate and exact
information, data and solution. Student should must read and refer the official study material provided by the university.
SECTION I
Q. 1. Bring out the views of F.W. Riggs on Society and Administration.
Ans. Fred Riggs was a social scientist known for his ecological approach to public administration. According to
him, public administration can function in various social and environmental situations and has the ability to adapt itself
according to the prevailing conditions so that fixed social objectives can be achieved. He viewed administrative structure,
behaviour and operations as vital parts of the society. He assumed that the nature of public organisations in any country
can be understood without grasping the social setting in which it operates and also tried to explain the administrative
processes in developing countries.
Riggs formulated the terms agraria and industria to explain different societal systems. In terms of structural functional
approach, all societies perform some basic functions such as administrative, religious and economic amongst others.
Societies perform these functions with the help of different forms of structures. For example, a family performs social
functions, a market performs economic functions and the legislature performs the political function. In traditional societies,
all the functions were performed by a few structures but with the eventual growth and development of society, more and
more specific and specialized structures began to take shape.
Riggs, through his Prismatic model, has also tried to explain the transformation process of societies. Here, just like a
white light when passed through a prism undergoes transformation and comes out in the form of multi-coloured light;
similarly, when a traditional society goes through transformation, it first changes into a developing and finally into a
developed society. Despite these changes, in a modern society, some elements of a traditional society still remained that
Riggs termed formalism i.e. difference between form and reality.
Q. 2. Explain the Gandhian Perspective of Modern.
Ans. The concept of modern state emerged during the British regime and it emphasized democracy in India. The
basic structure of this modern state was provided by the rule of law for maintenance of public order and a political
arrangement; the real motives were just commercial in nature. A workable basis for this state was provided by a taxation
method consisting of tax assessment and collection. It also stressed on commerce and industry. All these factors favoured
the privileged section of the society. The commercial and professional class felt alienated.
Gandhijis own exposure to law and his study of the functioning of the British state, in England and in the colonial
territory of South Africa helped him to understand the theoretical framework of the modern state and its actual working in
different situations. Thus, he developed an understanding of the modern state with a new perspective.
Critique of the Modern State
The mode of operation of the modern state violated Gandhijis concept of non-violence. He also disagreed to the
moral dimensions of this state as it weakened the sense of responsibility and personal integrity. He criticized the modern
state on the basis of certain factors, highlighted below:
Concept of autonomy: It consisted of two distinct ideas. First, citizens should not be dominated by other citizens or
by the state. Second, individuals should be self-governing, should possess moral standards for a self-evaluative assessment
and accept responsibility for individual choices.

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Thus, Gandhian autonomy was based on set of moral principles that acted as a guide to action and necessity on the
part of individuals comprising the state to be self-reflective and responsible for their actions. He suggested self-rule as an
exercise of non-domination for everyone. He believed that modernity was an obstacle to autonomy as it has introduced
and justified new forms of domination based on pre-determined process of economic activity. He also felt that autonomous
person had no link with the modern state and hence, this state could also not achieve the goals of self-governance.
Gandhiji was also a critique of the modern state as he believed it to be a rigid setup that blindly followed rules and
regulations. Interestingly, he also compared this form of state to an uncontrollable machine. A modern state with its
uniform rules and bureaucratic management specially came under attack from Gandhiji. He believed that this very nature
of the state would not accept individual differences and diverse opinions and attitudes. He held the set up of the modern
state as being responsible for spreading violence in disguise, concealed behind a net of rules.
All this made him strongly believe in the ideology of non-violence. The ethics of non-violence illustrated freedom
from moral blame and freedom from all intentions to harm others.
Gandhiji never favoured the concept of a modern state as he felt that it was not compatible with the essential human
moral values. He strongly felt that an alternative model must be developed for organising the society.
Modern State and India
During his days in colonial South Africa, Gandhi had been observing the functioning of the modern state and its
institutions. He was wondering over as to how any of its elements could be of any use for his vision of an independent
India. With voices increasing in favour of replicating the modern state concept for an independent India, Gandhi had to
offer an alternative view for the country, keeping in mind the actual nature of the modern state that he had observed.
Indian Civilization
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l

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Modern State

Spirituality was the essence of Indian

Civilization.
People generally believed in non-violence.
Indian Civilization was rich with diverse
customs and way of life.

State was the result of Materialist Civilization.

States violent character was a known fact.

It promoted homogeneity and was impersonal

in nature.

It was based on urban civilization.

A modern state had uniform system of laws, rules

and procedures that removed variations in the
society.
This form of state was an abstract institution.

Primarily, India was a rural country.

Stratified Indian society had autonomous selfgoverning castes, sects and ethics groups that
needed a variegated system of governance.
The society was based on direct, nonintervened relations between people that were
also valued in principle.
Due to its immense social diversity, an
independent India would need a decentralized
power structure.
To have an equitable society, the decentralized
model was considered ideal as political power
would vest with its large rural populace.

To implement its philosophy, the task of social

reconstruction would require a large degree of
states power, threatening peoples freedom.

Here, the society was likely to be dominated by

urban elite classes whose values would be in
confrontation with the values of rural masses.
This would lead to further social exploitation
and alienation amongst the people.

He felt that the modern state concept was inconsistent as a case for a modern India due to the following comparison.
Thus, the above comparison illustrated that the concept of a modern state was rejected by Gandhiji as an option for an
independent India. What was essentially needed was an alternative model whose essence and characteristics would keep in
mind Indias traditions and history and simultaneously enable the country to face the developed world at an equal footing.
Q. 3. Elucidate the Marxist Perspective of the State.
Ans. Karl Marx, Friedrik Engels, Vladimir Lenin and Trotsky are the main founders of Marxist perspective for a
state. The perspective is commonly known as class theory of state.
Marx neither did a theoretical analysis of the state nor focused directly on its complexities. Marx and Engels have not
given any clear unitary theory of the state. Marxism has tried to explain a state on the basis of the economy, as an
economic unit. State is taken as a universal but temporary phenomenon that has to wither away. Marxists favour communism,
a stateless condition as an end of history and class struggle.
According to Marx, state never originated for the purpose of common good and has never made any effort to achieve

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common good. It has always been a class organisation. A modern representative state is just a weapon in the hands of
powerful class people to torture the weaker class. As a class organisation, state aims to protect the interests of the ruling
class.
For Marx and Engel, state is an instrument of class exploitation and class oppression. It expresses human alienation.
They supported the communist society to eliminate all forms of alienation for individuals-from nature, from society and
from humanity. It will establish true democracy to work for the development of all. The transitional state-the Dictatorship
of the Proletariatlies between the destruction of capitalism and the attainment of communism.
Initially, Marx was in favour of democratic state, rule of majority for the welfare and development of all. Marx
changed his views on the state during 1840-52. He accepted Engels notion of state that dictatorship was necessary to fill
the vacuum that would come up as a result of destruction of the old order till the creation of the new order. But he also
explained that it did not mean a permanent rule of one person or group; rather it was to be an extraordinary power during
an emergency for a limited period.
Marx continued to criticize the existing bureaucratic military state and that it should be replaced with the dictatorship
of the proletariat that is absolutely democratic and majoritarian. He believed that state and its bureaucratic institutions are
class instruments and they work for the interests of the ruling class. A state is a means through which economically
dominant classes overcome their problems, fulfil their interests and suppress the subordinate classes.
A critical analysis of the Marxist perspective revealed that Marx sketched but never developed a systematic theory of
the state. Hence, the idea of a political economy remained over-determined and not described politically. In this process,
he just ignored the details that were necessary for managing a society based on equity, reward and freedom.
SECTION II
Q. 4. Bring out the characteristics of Good Governance.
Ans. Good governance has all elements important for any government to form good relations between government
and citizens. It has eight main characteristics. All these features ensure people sharing, citizen friendly, more responsive,
accountable, transparent, efficient, effective, participatory and consensus-oriented government. It assures minimum corruption and less red-tapism. It believes in participatory decision-making approach and work for all round development of
people.
Characteristics of Good Governance

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Responsive

Participatory

Accountable

Consensusoriented

Good
Governance

Transparent

Follows the rule

of law

Equitable and
inclusive

Effective and
efficient

Accountability
All government and private institutions must be accountable to the public for their actions. It means that the government
is answerable to their citizens for their actions and activities. It measures the performance of the officials.
Transparency
All actions and activities of the government must be transparent to the citizens. It refers to the availability of information
to the general public and clarity about government rules, regulations and decisions. Right to Information (RTI) is an
instrument to check the transparency of the government and its officials.
Responsive
Government must be responsive to the needs of all those who are going to be affected by their actions.
Participation
It means involvement of citizens in the development and decision-making process. Appropriate changes can be made
with respect to their demands and needs. Participation can either be direct or through peoples representatives.
Effectiveness and Efficiency
It refers to the proper utilization of resources according to societys needs and demands. It covers the sustainable use

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of natural resources and protection of environment. Development should be result-oriented.

Rule of Law
It implies legitimate use of authority. It also requires full protection of human rights, particularly of minorities.
Consensus-oriented
There are varied needs, demands and view-points in any society. Good governance must see what is in the best
interests of the whole community and how this can be achieved?
Equity and Inclusiveness
All members of society should feel that they have a stake in it and dont feel excluded from the mainstream.
Q. 5. Examine the impact of Globalisation on Public Administration.
Ans. As mentioned earlier, globalization is leading to various changes in the nature of states and their systems of
governance. As globalization is primarily driven by market forces, it has promoted market values and subsequently
diluted the role of the state in the economy. Economies and states are now shifting from being centrally planned to being
driven by market forces. This is due to the fact that in order to participate and compete in the global markets and trade,
various nation states are under pressure to integrate their markets with the global economy. With the states witnessing
these changes, their administrative systems and functions are also being affected. These affects are occurring across
several facets and in many dimensions.
The ways in which that state been affected is described across the following dimensions:
Changing Role of the State
Most states across the world have been modelled on the concept of a welfare state wherein the state itself is mainly
responsible for ensuring the basic welfare of its people. However, globalization is also affecting changes across this
particular role of the state. A new competition state has emerged that promotes public choice initiatives, privatization
and deregulation in the economy. Public administration and services have been infused with newer, market-based reforms
along with privatization. The new political economy of development highlights the market as the primary factor and not
the state. The main argument favouring this trend believes that the market is more efficient in providing services to
citizens than the state. Driven by competition and profits, market entities use the available resources far more efficiently
than state agencies. Besides, they also provide the citizen with a choice of services based on his economic capacity
whereas, the state provides a comparatively less choice.
Responsiveness of State Institutions
Since globalization is mainly market-driven, it promotes policies that usually neglect the poor and disadvantaged
sections of the society or in other words, people who do not have the resources to compete in the globalised markets and
reap the benefits. Developing states and societies mostly face this issue as they have a significant number of disadvantaged
people. As a result these states become more sensitive to the welfare of its disadvantaged people by making their
administrative and welfare delivery systems i.e. the state institutions much stronger and responsive. Only by making the
state institutions more responsive and sensitive to the development needs of its disadvantaged people can a state effectively
fill the social gap that globalization cannot.
Management Orientation in Public Administration
Another aspect where globalization has affected a states public administrative systems is in its operating orientation.
It has affected changes in the administrative systems that make it more efficient, performance and service-oriented and
objective driven. The earlier approach in these systems was more bureaucratic and process-oriented in nature. The traditional
approach was not really promoting overall public interest but rather the interests of the bureaucrats and government
servants. It was slow, unresponsive and not representative in its functioning.
The advent of globalization and its effects on states, societies and markets has also indirectly led to changes in a
states administrative systemsmaking them more oriented towards managing their functions in an efficient and effective
manner and using the available resources efficiently. The administrative systems have also become more goal-oriented
rather than simply following policies and procedures. The New Public Management (NPM) approach in public
administration is an important example in this regard.
State-Market Cooperation
The era of globalization has accorded significant importance to markets as an enabler of positive changes in the
society. However, the importance of state and its institutions has not diminished. Now, there is unanimity in the belief
that these two main components i.e. the state and market can and should cooperate and work together for societal
development. As the state is the constituent in which the market operates, it can cooperate with the market in three ways
functional, institutional and strategic. Functionally, a state can intervene in case of market failures in terms of controlling

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prices, especially that of essential commodities. State institutions can intervene in the market by laying down rules and
regulations for governance and control of various players in a market. Strategically, the state can guide the market through
defined strategic guidelines/ approaches so that broader, long-term objectives of social development can be achieved. A
moral aspect to this cooperation can be highlighted in the fact that a state is morally accountable to its citizens but the
market is not.
Civil Society as a Supplementary Democratic Model
With the emergence and advance of globalization, the civil society has also developed and emerged as a viable force
in a state. This collective group includes NGOs, social and other non-state organisations that together keep a watch on the
progress of the state and its constituents, with an overall objective of protecting citizens interests. In todays society, the
profit-driven globalized markets do not assure all-round development and with several state institutions stuck in
inefficiencies and unresponsiveness, the civil society has gained importance due to its participatory, inclusive, citizenfriendly and non-bureaucratic approach. It has also emerged as an important link between the state and the market. The
democratic setup in a state is supplemented by the power and efforts of civil society organisations to collectively monitor
and control social decline and disorder. Hence, civil society emerges as a supplementary democratic model in a state that
helps in reviving community level participation and strengthening it. The Bhagidhari initiative promoted by the Delhi
Government is an example that involves citys various Resident Welfare Associations along with the government in a
joint effort to tackle various issues faced by the citizens at the grassroots and community levels.
As globalization affects various communities and the level of their participation in managing their affairs, the
administration is faced with the responsibility of strengthening the institutions and processes of governance and also
ensuring the participation of common citizens in development, making it inclusive in nature. It is here that the role of civil
society becomes significant as it emerges as a supplementary force for citizens participation in ensuring participative,
equitable development.

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