TOPIC NO 11

WHAT IS A PRESSURE GROUP AND HOW DO THEY AFFECT THE POLITICAL DECISION MAKING?

1. INTRODUCTION:
These are organised groups that have a strong influence on the public and the making of
government policies. They are different from official government parties as they do not
present themselves as electoral candidates. Rather they seek to influence the
individuals who have been elected to implement changes for a particular cause.
Pressure groups exist all around the world and serve different purposes.
2. PRESSURE GROUP: ‘INTEREST GROUPS’, ‘LOBBY GROUPS’ AND ‘PROTEST GROUPS’
DEFINITION:
A. Harry Eckstein has defined this as “…any organized group which attempts to
influence government decisions without seeking to exercise the formal powers of
government.”
B. Pressure groups often represent viewpoints of people who are dissatisfied with the
current conditions in society, and they often represent alternative viewpoints that
are not well represented in the mainstream population.
3. MAIN AIM:
The aim of such groups is to influence people of power and give the general public a
platform to fight for the laws they want. In a way, these groups can be seen as the
middle man.
4. WORKING LINES OF PRESSURE GROUPS:
MODES OF OPERATION OF PRESSURE GROUPS
In order to achieve the objectives or goals of pressure groups, they adopt the following
methods such as:
Lobbing:
Pressure groups attempts to lobby influential officials of the state like the legislature to
make law or amend law that will benefit their members. Lobbying also involves using
persuasive argument backed with necessary data to influence those in the position of
authority over a policy they are interested upon.

Demonstration:
Demonstration could be peaceful or violent, pressure group have used this method
successfully in forcing the government to drop certain policy. The group normally
organize themselves in strategic locations with their members.

Protest letters:
Pressure groups write protest letters in reaction to government policies that are not in
the interest of their members.

Ultimatum:
Pressure group sometimes, issue ultimatum to back up their demands on certain
government policies.

Propaganda:
Campaigns are carried out most often by pressure groups especially when government
takes decision that tends to ignore the interest of their members. Pressure groups can
use the mass media like the press, radio, television, bulletins and handbills to persuade
those in authority to accede to their demands.
5. TYPES:
A. ASSOCIATIONAL GROUPS:
 These are formed for a definitive cause that supports a particular group. They have a
distinctive name, headquarters and a political ideology that reflects the beliefs,
values and characteristics of the people or cause they represent.

B. NON-ASSOCIATIONAL GROUPS
On the other hand, these lack the formal structure that associational groups follow.
Their activity is largely dependent on the social issue at hand- racial, ethnic,
linguistic and class issues are a few examples. These groups reflect the largely
unvoiced issues related to the sections mentioned above. Institutional groups are
primarily formal and comprise individuals from any profession. They perform an
important role in the country’s legislative process and exist mainly within the
government.

C. ANOMIC GROUPS:
Lastly, anomic groups are groups that usually originate spontaneously from a
particular event.
These are generally groups that are rooted in the frustration felt by the people and
can manifest as protest groups, street riots, student demonstrations, etc. The
existence of these groups is to create pressure on the country’s existing political
system and act as a voice demanding for rightful change. However, the democratic
nature of such groups can be argued against. Certain groups are elite, upper class,
privileged individuals, and so the narrative of their issues will reflect the same. They
often do not have a system to choose their representatives or leaders, and so the
question of who holds power in such groups is important to contemplate.
6. FEATURES:
A. PRESSURE GROUPS CENTRE THEMSELVES AROUND SPECIFIC INTERESTS.
Each pressure group, as described above, organizes itself based on the views and
interests of the people/ cause that they represent.
B. Pressure groups incorporate both modern and traditional techniques when exerting
pressure on government officials. They operate on a scale that corresponds to the
cause. Therefore, groups can be built on a local, regional, national and/or
international scale.
C. The most important characteristic of pressure groups is that they are independent
of the political system. They do not stand in as representatives during elections;
more often than not, these groups are non-profit voluntary organizations.
D. Based on similar beliefs, they take action to promote change and further their goals.
7. EXAMPLE:
Members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) share a common belief that, in
turn, influences the actions (e.g., advocacy, public awareness programs, policy research)
they use to achieve their goals. Other examples are civil rights groups, trade unions, and
professional associations.
8. EFFECT OF PRESSURE GROUP ON DECISION MAKING:
A. Pressure groups are widely recognized as an important part of the democratic
process. Some groups offer opportunities and a political voice to people who would
traditionally be thought of as disadvantaged or marginalized from the mainstream
population. In this way, pressure groups strengthen the democratic process by
giving a voice to a variety of people.
B. Political parties seek to create change by being elected to public office, while
pressure groups attempt to influence political parties. Pressure groups may be
better able to focus on specialized issues, whereas political parties tend to address a
wide range of issues.
 C. Pressure groups also offer alternatives to the political process by providing
opportunities for expressing opinions and a desire for change.
D. They have the potential to raise the profile of previously marginalized issues.
E. Individual pressure groups can form larger coalitions to advance their cause more
effectively.
F. Problems can arise when the democratic process becomes dominated by a few
specific groups. In this situation, the voice of a small group of people with a
particular interest can become overly influential and negatively affect the rights of
other individuals.
G. In the democratic process, there is a need for compromise in order to reach
consensus regarding the common good. If pressure groups remain rigid and refuse
to compromise on specific issues, they can potentially monopolize the democratic
process by focusing public debate on a few specific issues.
9. FUNCTIONS OF PRESSURE GROUPS
a. Pressure groups influence government policies or decisions.
b. Pressure groups acts as watch dog on the government.
c. Pressure group main aim is to protect the interest of their members.
d. Pressure groups promote economic activities through their efforts to realize and
promote specific economic interests of their members.
e. Pressure groups help to foster the achievement of democracy.
f. Pressure groups help to guide government in the formulation of policies.