While referring to overlapping in the power structure of a prismatic society, Riggs observes that it consists of a highly centralized and concentrated authority structure overlapping a control system that if highly localized and dispersed. There exists a separation of authority and control. In practice, the de jure ‘authority’ succumbs to the de facto ‘control’. The authority of the sala overlaps with the society’s control structures which are based on poly-communalism, clects and poly-normativism. A number of structures behave in a peculiar fashion and many a time even act against the very purpose for which they were created. Sometimes structures lacking primary orientation towards administration carry administrative functions along with other concrete structures responsible for it. Such an overlapping influences the relationship between politicians and administration.
Riggs termed the prismatic society as unbalanced polity in which bureaucrats dominate the politico-administrative system despite the political leader’s constitutional powers. As a result, the sala officials play more dominant role in decision-making processes in a prismatic society than the officials in a diffracted society. Due to such a concentration of powers in the hands of bureaucrats, there would be lack of response to the people’s needs and wishes. In such a situation strengthening of public administration in developing societies is likely to impede political development. He further pointed out, that such a weak political system and leadership fail to control the bureaucracy and consequently the legislature, political parties, voluntary associations and public opinion also become ineffective