If you’re an aspiring civil servant in India, preparing for the UPSC Mains examination is a crucial step in your journey towards becoming a part of the country’s administrative machinery. One of the optional subjects that candidates can choose for this exam is Comparative Public Administration. This subject delves into the intricacies of public administration systems worldwide, offering a comprehensive understanding of the field. To excel in this optional subject, it’s essential to have a grasp of the past question papers and the evolving trends in this area. In this blog series, we’ll take you on a journey through the UPSC Mains previous year questions on Comparative Public Administration from 2013 to 2023. This comprehensive analysis and exploration of past papers will not only help you gain insights into the examination’s pattern but also assist you in honing your skills and knowledge to ace this optional subject with confidence.
We’ll dissect each year’s question paper, highlighting key themes, important topics, and trends that have emerged over the years. By diving deep into the questions posed by UPSC, you’ll be better equipped to craft well-informed and structured answers. Whether you’re just beginning your preparation or looking to fine-tune your knowledge in Comparative Public Administration, this blog series will be an invaluable resource. So, let’s embark on this journey of exploration and learning, as we unravel the past years’ questions and pave the way for your success in the UPSC Mains examination.
Comparative Public Administration Public Administration – Previous Year Questions (UPSC CSE Mains Psychology Optional)
Historical and sociological factors affecting administrative systems
1. Weber’s construct of bureaucracy has served a great heuristic purpose in furthering research in the field of Comparative Public Administration. Do you agree with the statement? Give reasons. (2022)
2. “Administrative systems across the world can be understood only in their respective historical and social contexts.” Explain the statement giving examples. (2018)
3. How does Ferrel Heady rationalize the three stages of development in comparative administration? (2015)
4. “Comparative Public Administration both resembles and differs from modern organization theory.” Elaborate. (2013)
5. “No science of public administration is possible unless…. There is a body of comparative studies from which it may be possible to discover principles and generalities that transcend national boundaries and peculiar historical experiences.” Discuss. (2005)
6. “Instead of looking inward in their own values and requirements, the Asian countries looked outward.” Comment. (1999)
7. A major problem with comparative public administration is that it has been behavioural. Comment. (1995)
8. “The main distinction between administration in western countries and in underdeveloped countries does not lie in differences in socio-cultural heritage but rather in the respective economic environments.” Comment. (1994)
9. “Comparative Public administration as a field of research is not so much comparative, as it is the study of Public administration in foreign countries.” Comment. (1993)
Administration and politics in different countries
1. “….in most cases …. Newly independent states, of the nations of Africa, Asia and Latin America, despite their differences …. Are in transition.” (Ferrel Heady). What common features are indicative of characteristics of their administrative patterns (cultures)? (2013)
2. “… non-western states often, if not always, have unbalanced politics, but these may not necessarily be bureaucratic politics.” Discuss. (2009)
3. Critically comment on the function of administrative capabilities with reference to developing countries. (1999)
Current status of Comparative Public Administration
1. Integration of different streams of administrative thought to propound a universal administrative theory is hindered by the impact of culture. Critically examine. (2021)
2. “Comparative Public Administration started with no paradigm of its own and developed none.” Comment. (2020)
3. The failure to discard its elitist character and west-centric orientation has led to the decline of Comparativa Public Administration. Explain. (2019)
4. Comment on the reasons why universal theory remains elusive in comparative public administration. (2012)
5. “Truly comparative administrative studies are empirical, nomothetic and ecological.” (Riggs) In this perspective, examine the current status of Comparative Public Administration. (2008)
6. Explain the meaning, significance and Models of Comparative Public Administration. (2004)
7. “The emphasis in most of the writings on comparative bureaucracy appears to be on the interaction between the administrative subsystem and the political system in which it exists.” Comment. (1994)
8. ‘The growth of comparative Public Administration is a continuing process and is of relevance for both operational and academic study of Public Administration. (1991)
9. Discuss the major conceptual approaches to the study of Comparative Public Administration and explain how Max Weber is considered to be the foremost mentor in the field. (1990)
Ecology & Environment
1. The approach to the study of administration in its environmental context is especially more useful for developing countries. Comment. (2021)
2.”Administrative ideas must be seen in the context of environment in which they develop.” In the light of the above statement, examine the influence of New Public Management and Information and Communication Technologies on comparative study of Public Administration. (2020)
Riggsian models and their critique
1. ‘The more exogenetic the process of diffraction, the more formalistic and heterogenous its prismatic phase; the more endogenetic, the less formalistic and heterogenous.’ Examine this hypothesis of Riggs. (2022)
2. In modern context, Riggsian terms have not altogether disappeared, but have emerged in different forms with newer meanings. Discuss. (2021)
3. “The Riggsian Models of Fused-Prismatic-Diffracted Societies and their administrative systems have been inspired by Max Weber’s typology of Traditional Charismatic Legal-Rational Authorities.” Analyse. (2017)
4. “Riggs observed in the comparative study of Public Administration.” Discuss. (2016)
5. “Fred Riggs continuously changed his theory in order to create the perfect model.” Comment. (2016)
6. Critically examine the Riggsian concept of differentiation in context of post-globalisation era. (2014)
7. ‘Rigg’s classification of societies into fused, prismatic, and diffracted is built around the concept of differentiation.’ Analyze. (2012)
8. “The Prismatic model of Riggs is equally applicable to developing as well as developed society.” Comment. (2010)
9. Which of the model (s) in development admini-stration is/are characterised by ‘Selectivism’, ‘Attainment’ and ‘Poly-functionalism’? Describe the corresponding theoretical roots & attributes. (2009)
10. “Not to be comparative is to be naively parochial” (Riggs). Comment. (2007)
11. How did F.W. Riggs conceptualise the inter-actions between administrative systems and their environment? (2002)
12. Critically comment on Riggsian Prismatic Sala model of administration of developing societies. To what extent Indian Administrative system exhibits prismatic characteristics? (2001)
13. Critically examine the approach and methodology adopted by Fred W. Riggs in his study of prismatic and sala societies. What is valid-content of Raj Krishna’s criticism of refraction? (2000)
14. “Political environment conditions administrative system.” – (F. W. Riggs) Comment. (2000)
15. What, according to Riggs, are the three important characteristic features of the prismatic society? (1996)
16. Rigg’s key concepts have alerted the researcher that Weberian bureaucracy might not be entirely predictive of behaviour in most Third World countries. Comment. (1995)
17. ‘Rigg’s approach and models may be considered as more sophisticated tools for describing and diagnosing administrative situations.’ Discuss. (1992)
18. Explain how the concept of ‘clects’ and ‘bazaar-canteen’ model explain the working of the administrative system in a developing society. In this context compare the working of the administrative system in a developed & in a developing society. (1990)
19. The prismatic sala model “enables us to cope with many problems of transitional societies….” (Riggs). What are these problems and how can this model enables us to cope with them. (1989)
20. “The nature of Prismatic Society adversely tells upon the phenomenon of administrative development which in-turn hinders the working of development administration.” Comment. (1988)
21. Distinguish between administrative development and administration of development. In what way is the former supplementary to the latter in a Prismatic Society? (1987)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Comparative Public Administration, and why is it important in the field of public administration?
A: Comparative Public Administration is a subfield of public administration that involves the comparative analysis of administrative systems, structures, and processes across different countries. It is important because it provides insights into how various countries handle governance, policy-making, and public service delivery, allowing policymakers and administrators to learn from international best practices and adapt them to their own contexts.
2. How does Comparative Public Administration differ from traditional Public Administration?
A: Comparative Public Administration focuses on the cross-country comparison of administrative systems, while traditional Public Administration typically deals with the study and analysis of a single country’s administrative structures and processes. It takes a global perspective, offering a broader understanding of administrative practices.
3. What are some key themes commonly studied in Comparative Public Administration?
A: Common themes in Comparative Public Administration include administrative structures, public policy analysis, bureaucratic behavior, accountability mechanisms, public service delivery, and the impact of cultural, political, and economic factors on administrative systems.
4. How can this optional benefit policymakers and public administrators?
A: CPA equips policymakers and administrators with a broader perspective and valuable insights from different administrative systems. By studying best practices and pitfalls in other countries, they can make informed decisions, implement more effective policies, and improve their own public administration systems.
5. What resources are available for studying academic or competitive exams?
A: To study Comparative Public Administration, you can refer to textbooks like “Comparative Public Administration” by Ramesh K. Arora and “Comparative Public Administration: The Essential Readings” edited by Eric E. Otenyo. Additionally, online resources, academic journals, and previous year question papers from competitive exams like the UPSC can provide valuable insights and practice material for students and aspirants.
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