Pressure groups are a type of interest group but they use pressure tactics like propaganda, information dumping, protests even misinformation to achieve their interests.
Pressure groups are generally created to address political or policy issues.They act as the liaison between government and its members.
They exert pressure on the political or administrative system of a country to extract benefits out of it and to advance their own interests.
Contents
Pressure Groups: Types
- Business groups.For example, FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM
- Trade Unions.For example, AITUC, CITU, INTUC
- Agrarian groups. For example,BKU, All India Kisaan Sabha
- Professional Associations. For example, IMA BCI
- Student organisations. For example,ABVP, SFI
- Religion and caste groups. For example, RSS, VHP,Harijan Sewak Sangh
Pressure Groups: Benefits
From the Pressure groups perspective:
- promote opportunities for political participation without political party
- provide expertise and information to government
- help in expressing views and needs of minority groups which remain unheard
- divert the attention of government on important issues
- act as safety valve in the democracy to vent out the pressure of people.
From the individual perspective:
- It promotes authentic freedom of expression helps in exploring new perspectives
- It gives platform to facilitate change
- It increases participation in governance
- It helps in building community leadership
Pressure Groups: Indian Scenario
- Finance minister consults Industry body, farmer and trade unions before commencing budgets to take inputs.
- Maharashtra government given separate quota for Marathas in public employment.
- Union government took back 3 farm laws due to pressure from Farmer organisations.
- Union government brought POCSO Act in response to Nirbhaya gang rape in Delhi due to pressure from women groups.
- RTI act was brought as result of sustained work of RTI activists.
- Association forDemocraticReforms [NGO by IIM alumni] conducts election watch, compiles and brings data on criminal antecedent and assets of politicians to create awareness among people.
Pressure Groups: Issues
- Narrow and selfish interests serving a few sections of the society.
- Corruption and nepotism in the pressure groups lead to misuse of power.
- Instability due to internal conflicts and lack of resources.
- Propagating extremism through misinformation and propaganda.
- Subjugation to political interests undermines the legitimacy of the group
Pressure Groups: Reforms
- Regulation of inner organisation structure to ensure inclusive decision making.
- Ensuring political neutrality by avoiding funds from political/business class.
- Connect with grass root level to increase public participation and awareness.
- Disclosing the sources of funds, expenditures and activities to ensure transparency.
