MPA First Sem.

, DM-I, Internal Assignment Examination_2025

Identification Information

Full Name and Roll Number: At the top of your assignment, you must clearly state:

 Your full name

 Your Campus Roll number
 Your year of admission
 Question Attempt Guidelines
 Question Selection

Choose Wisely: You need to attempt one question from question number 1 or 2. This
means you should read both questions carefully and select the one you feel most
confident about or interested in.

Mandatory Question: Question number 3 is mandatory, which means you must answer
it regardless of your choice for the first two questions. Make sure to allocate enough
time to complete all parts of the assignment.

Questions:

1. Briefly explain the inherent attributes of Max Weber’s legal-rational bureaucracy.

OR

2. Briefly describe the Rigg's ‘Prismatic-Sala Model’ and critically examine its forms.

3. Read the following case/situation carefully and answer the questions given below.

According to the World Metrological Organization (WMO) report on "Provisional

State of the Global Climate, 2023, the global mean near-surface temperature in 2023
(to October) was around 1.40 ± 0.12 °C above the 1850–1900 average. Based on the
data to October, it is virtually certain that 2023 will be the warmest year in the 174-
year observational record, surpassing the previous joint warmest years, 2016 at 1.29 ±
0.12 °C above the 1850–1900 average and 2020 at 1.27±0.13 °C. The past nine years,
2015–2023, will be the nine warmest years on record. Record monthly global
temperatures have been observed for the ocean – from April through to September –
and, staring slightly later, the land – from July through to September. The ten-year
average 2014–2023 (to October) global temperature is 1.19±0.12°C above the 1850–
1900 average, the warmest 10-year period on record. Observed concentrations of the
three main greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide – reached
record high levels in 2022, the latest year for which consolidated global values are
available (1984–2022). Ocean heat content reached its highest level in 2022, the latest
available full year of data in the 65-year observational record. In 2023, global mean
sea level reached a record high in the satellite record (1993 to present), reflecting
continued ocean warming as well as the melting of glaciers and ice sheets. The rate of
global mean sea level in rise in the past ten years (2013–2022) is more than twice the
rate of sea level rise in the first decade of the satellite record (1993–2002). Antarctic
sea-ice extent reached an absolute record low for the satellite era (1979 to present) in
February. Ice extent was at a record low from June onwards, and the annual maximum
in September was far below the previous record low maximum. Glaciers in western
North America and the European Alps experienced an extreme melt season. In
Switzerland, glaciers lost around 10% of their remaining volume in the past two years.
Nepal also could not remain untouched with these effects.

Extreme weather continues to lead to severe socio-economic impacts. Extreme heat

affected many parts of the world. Wildfires in Hawaii, Canada and Europe led to loss
of life, the destruction of homes and large-scale air pollution. Flooding associated
with extreme rainfall from Mediterranean Cyclone Daniel affected Greece, Bulgaria,
Türkiye, and Libya with peculiarly heavy loss of life in Libya. Food security,
population displacements and impacts on vulnerable populations continue to be of
concern in 2023, with weather and climate hazards exacerbating the situation in many
parts of the world. Extreme weather and climate conditions continued to trigger new,
prolonged, and secondary displacement in 2023 and increased the vulnerability of
many who were already uprooted by complex multi-causal situations of conflict and
violence.

Globally, annual economic losses from climate and weather-related disasters have
significantly increased since the 2000s. In low and lower-middle-income countries,
82% of all damage and loss caused by drought concerned the agriculture sector.
Between 2008 and 2018, across least developed countries and lower middle-income
countries, 34% of disaster-related crop and livestock production losses were attributed
to drought, followed by 19% to flooding events, 18% to severe storms and hurricanes,
9% to crop pests and animal diseases, 6% to extreme temperatures, and 1% to
wildfires.

Climate related shocks and stresses in migration and displacement contexts affect
people's livelihoods which entrenches poverty and hunger pose direct threats to their
lives and wellbeing, widen inequality gaps, limit access to quality education, water
and sanitation as well as clean energy. Women and girls are among the worst affected
due to pre-existing gender and socio-economic inequalities compounding their
vulnerabilities.
To better prepare for these contexts, governments, communities, civil society, and the
UN, are engaged at all levels to strengthen climate resilience and effective disaster
risk reduction. A main priority is the community level, where preparedness efforts
including early warning systems and emergency preparedness are picking up pace.
With 126 countries in possession of disaster risk management strategies and a total of
99 countries reporting to have local governments with disaster risk reduction
strategies, development and implementation of local disaster risk reduction strategies
have increased since the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction in 2015.

Questions

1. How does climate change impacts on the economies of different countries?

2. Examine climatic shocks and stresses on population displacement, migration, and

impacts on vulnerable people.

3. How climate change effects are associated with the sustainable goals (SDGs)?

4. How countries and development stakeholders are strategically prepared on climate

resilience and disaster risks?

1. How does climate change impact the economies of different countries?

Climate change has substantial and far-reaching impacts on national and global economies.
According to the WMO report:

 Increased Economic Losses: Climate and weather-related disasters have led to a

significant increase in annual economic losses since the 2000s. These include
infrastructure damage, destruction of homes, and loss of human capital.
 Sector-Specific Impacts: In low and lower-middle-income countries, the agriculture
sector is the hardest hit, with 82% of drought-related damage affecting agriculture.
Droughts, floods, storms, and extreme temperatures drastically reduce crop yields and
livestock productivity, directly affecting food security and export earnings.
 Disproportionate Impact: Least developed and vulnerable countries bear the brunt of
climate-induced economic losses due to limited adaptation and response capacities. They
experience reduced GDP, rising food prices, and increased spending on relief and
reconstruction.
 Insurance and Investment Losses: High-frequency disasters affect insurance markets
and discourage foreign and domestic investments, hindering long-term development.
2. Examine climatic shocks and stresses on population displacement, migration, and
impacts on vulnerable people.

Climate shocks such as extreme heat, floods, wildfires, droughts, and storms intensify
displacement and deepen vulnerabilities:

 Displacement and Migration: In 2023, climate and weather events continued to trigger
new and prolonged displacements, with people fleeing due to destroyed homes, loss of
livelihoods, and worsening living conditions. Complex drivers like conflict and climate
stress act together to force migration.
 Vulnerable Groups: Women and girls are disproportionately affected, as climate
stress exacerbates gender and socio-economic inequalities. They face greater barriers in
access to resources, decision-making, and recovery.
 Livelihood and Food Insecurity: Climate shocks erode income sources (especially in
agriculture-dependent communities), entrenching poverty and hunger. This leads to
long-term displacement and deepening inequality.
 Access to Basic Services: Displacement due to climate events limits access to
education, healthcare, clean energy, water, and sanitation, undermining human
development and resilience.

3. How climate change effects are associated with the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs)?

Climate change poses a direct threat to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Specific SDG impacts include:

 SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Increased droughts, floods, and extreme
weather destroy livelihoods and agricultural output, increasing hunger and poverty,
especially in developing countries.
 SDG 3 (Good Health): Climate-related air pollution, heatwaves, and spread of vector-
borne diseases (like malaria) threaten health outcomes.
 SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Women and girls face higher exposure to climate impacts
due to social norms, caregiving roles, and lack of access to resources.
 SDG 13 (Climate Action): Rising emissions, warming oceans, and sea level rise reflect
how off-track global efforts are in limiting climate change.
 SDG 14 (Life Below Water) & SDG 15 (Life on Land): Ocean warming and
acidification, along with forest loss and species extinction due to habitat shifts,
undermine biodiversity and ecosystems.
 SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) & SDG 9 (Infrastructure): Urban areas face rising
climate vulnerabilities like flooding, while infrastructure is increasingly at risk.
4. How are countries and development stakeholders strategically prepared for climate
resilience and disaster risks?

Efforts at global, national, and local levels are accelerating to strengthen climate resilience and
disaster preparedness:

 Disaster Risk Management (DRM): As of now, 126 countries have formal disaster
risk management strategies, and 99 countries report local governments implementing
disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies.
 Sendai Framework: The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–
2030) has spurred countries to adopt comprehensive, multi-sectoral approaches to
managing risks and building resilience.
 Early Warning Systems: Investments in early warning systems and emergency
preparedness are increasing at the community level, helping reduce casualties and
economic loss.
 Community Engagement: There is a strong emphasis on community-level
preparedness, recognizing that local solutions and resilience building are critical to
managing risks.
 UN and Civil Society Involvement: Multilateral agencies, civil society, and
development partners are supporting vulnerable countries through capacity-building,
technology transfer, and funding mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund.

In conclusion, climate change is no longer a future threat but a current reality with global
economic, social, and environmental consequences. The collective urgency to mitigate, adapt,
and build resilience is now greater than ever.
2. Briefly explain the inherent attributes of Max Weber’s legal-rational
bureaucracy.

The Concept of Max Weber Bureaucracy Theory

A German scientist, Max Weber, describes bureaucracy as an institution that is highly organized,
formalized, and also impersonal. He also developed the belief that there must be a fixed
hierarchical structure for an organization and clear rules, regulations, and lines of authority that
regulate it. The bureaucracy of Max Weber has the following attributes:-

1. Hierarchy of Authority
o A clear chain of command exists, with each level subordinate to the one above it.
o Superiors supervise and control subordinates systematically.
2. Impersonality
o Decisions are made based on objective rules, not personal preferences.
o Personal relationships and emotions do not influence official duties.
3. Rule-Based Decision Making
o Operations follow a consistent set of written rules and regulations.
o Rules ensure predictability, standardization, and fairness.
4. Specialization and Division of Labor
o Work is divided into fixed areas of competence, with each official handling a
specific set of tasks.
o Individuals are trained for specific roles, increasing efficiency.
5. Technical Competence and Meritocracy
o Officials are selected and promoted based on qualifications and performance, not
favoritism or inheritance.
o Positions require formal education or training.
6. Formal Written Records
o Administrative actions and decisions are recorded and archived.
o This ensures transparency and continuity over time.
7. Full-Time and Career Employment
o Bureaucratic work is considered a full-time occupation.
o Officials pursue a career in the organization with prospects for advancement.

Summary:

Weber's legal-rational bureaucracy emphasizes efficiency, rationality, and legality. It provides

a structured, predictable, and fair system for modern administrative functions—but can also lead
to rigidity and excessive red tape when not balanced with flexibility.

3. Briefly describe the Rigg's ‘Prismatic-Sala Model’ and critically examine its
forms.
The Rigg’s ‘Prismatic-Sala Model’ is a framework developed by Fred W. Riggs, a political
scientist and comparative public administration theorist. It aims to explain the transitional
features of administrative systems in developing societies. The model is part of his broader
"Fused–Prismatic–Differentiated" framework, which analyzes the evolution of societies from
traditional (fused) to modern (differentiated) systems, with the prismatic phase representing a
society in transition.

Brief Description:

 The Prismatic-Sala Model uses the metaphor of a prism to describe societies that
display both traditional and modern characteristics, often inconsistently.
 The "Sala" is the key structural component of this model, symbolizing a mixed
administrative institution common in prismatic societies.
o Sala: A multifunctional building used for various official and unofficial purposes;
it illustrates role-diffusion and the lack of clear institutional boundaries.

Key Features of Prismatic Societies (as shown in the Sala model):

1. Heterogeneity: Coexistence of different social, economic, and political systems

(traditional and modern elements intermingle).
2. Formalism: Strong emphasis on formal rules and procedures, often disconnected from
actual practices.
3. Overlapping Roles: Institutions perform multiple and contradictory roles, leading to
inefficiency.
4. Nepotism and Particularism: Personal relationships often outweigh formal merit-based
systems.
5. Administrative Inefficiency: Due to the mix of roles and lack of differentiation, public
administration is often ineffective.

Critical Examination:

Strengths:

 Contextual Insight: Offers a realistic portrayal of developing societies, especially the

transitional conflicts in public administration.
 Analytical Utility: Helps explain issues like corruption, inefficiency, and clientelism in
transitional political systems.
 Comparative Framework: Useful for comparing different stages of societal and
administrative development.
Limitations:

 Deterministic: Implies a linear development path from fused to differentiated, which

may not fit all societies.
 Western Bias: Overly dependent on Western models of "differentiation" as the ideal end-
state.
 Static Model: Does not sufficiently account for dynamic changes, resistance, or hybrid
stable forms in societies.
 Cultural Oversimplification: May underplay the unique cultural and historical contexts
influencing administrative systems.

Conclusion:

Riggs’ Prismatic-Sala Model is a seminal tool in understanding the challenges faced by

developing countries in modernizing their administrative structures. However, while valuable, it
should be used with caution, avoiding overgeneralization and recognizing the diversity of
developmental paths and cultural conditions