Pressure Groups

Pressure Groups

The term ‘pressure group’ originated in the USA. A pressure group is a group of people who are organised actively for promoting and defending their common interest. It is so called as it attempts to bring a change in the public policy by exerting pressure on the government.

The pressure groups are also called ‘interest groups’ or vested groups. They are different from the political parties in that they neither contest elections nor try to capture political power.

1. Pressure Groups in India

A large number of pressure groups exist in India. But, they are not developed to the same extent as in the USA or the Western countries like Britain, France, Germany and so on.

The pressure groups in India can be broadly classified into the following categories:

1. Business groups

2. Trade unions

3. Agrarian groups

4. Professional associations

5. Student organisations

6. Religious organisations

7. Tribal organisations

8. Linguistic groups

9. Ideology-based groups

10.     Environmental protection groups

1.1 Functions of Pressure Groups in India

Pressure groups are the interest groups that work to secure certain interest by influencing the public policy. They are non -aligned with any political party and work as an indirect yet powerful group to influence the policy decisions. Pressure groups carry out a range of functions including representation, political participation, education, policy formulation and policy implementation.

Political Participation

Pressure groups can be called the informal face of politics. They exert influence precisely by mobilising popular support through activities such as petitions, marches, demonstrations and other forms of political protest. Such forms of political participation have been particularly attractive to young people.

1.2 Education

Many pressure groups devote significant resources by carrying out research, maintaining websites, commenting on government policy and using high-profile academics, scientists and even celebrities to get their views across, with an emphasis to cultivate expert authority.

1.3 Policy Formulation

Though the pressure groups themselves are not policy-makers, yet it does not prevent many of them from participating in the policy- making process. Many pressure groups are vital sources of information and render advice to the government and therefore they are regularly consulted in the process of policy formulation.