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Role of Pressure Groups
What is Pressure Groups?
A pressure group refers to a group of people that come together to influence and change government policies in a manner that is concurrent and suitable to their interest. They hold no aspirations for gaining political power and hence does not directly take part in elections.
Positive Role of Pressure Groups in Democracy
Check on Government Actions: Pressure groups shores up the accountability of the government and serve as a vital check on government actions and inaction. It helps in cultivating a responsive and pro-active government.
Eg: MKSS – RTI
Citizen Participation: Pressure groups provide a platform for citizens with common aspirations and opinions to engage with the state. Hence they enhance political consciousness of average citizens transforming the country into a participative democracy rather than merely an elective democracy.
A bridge between Government and Public: Pressure groups of different sections in society help articulate their aspirations and interests to the government which allows the government to take better governance, legislative and administrative decisions.
Eg: Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan – Criminalization of Triple Talaq bill
They raise awareness among the general public regarding government policies and schemes, their utility, benefits and coverage.
Eg: Shuddhi(NGO)’s support and assistance in implementation Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
Negative Role of Pressure Groups
Promotion of Sectional interest: The influence exerted by pressure groups is reflective of sectional interest rather than in consonance with the larger public interest.
Eg: SNDP is an organization that works for the betterment of the Ezhava community in Kerala alone
Divisive tendencies: Pressure groups promote interests of multiple sections which may be conflicting in nature. This has a tendency to lead to polarisation which affects the unity of our country
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Eg: Ghar wapsi movement of Vishwa Hindu Parishad to facilitate re-conversion of non-hindus to hindus has soured relations between Hindu and Muslim communities
Anti-Development: Pressure groups may exert unwanted and ill-conceived pressure to scuttle developmental projects of government. They may mobilize public opposition to achieve the same.
Eg: Recent protest in Kudankulam nuclear power plant
Asymmetrical Benefit: Greater possession of economic and political resources with small number of pressure groups help them to corner benefits accorded by government policies and decisions.
Eg: Large scale businesses and entrepreneurs are likely to benefit better from the newly implemented goods and services tax system as compared to MSMEs. The greater influence of pressure groups such as FICCI and CII may have played a part in the same.
Formal Pressure Groups
These are pressure groups formally organized and registered bodies having their constitution, finances etc. The government are aware of their presence and consider the opinions articulated by them before framing legislations, policies and schemes of which they are potential stakeholders.
Eg: FICCI, CII, IMA
Informal Pressure Groups
These are groups that are formed on the basis of a commonality of identities, they are informally organized and are not registered with the government. These pressure groups are largely based on religion, caste, ethnicity and language etc.
Eg: Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan – Pressure group that works for equality for Muslim women in India
- How do pressure groups participate in the Indian political process? Do you agree with the view that informal pressure groups have emerged as more powerful than formal pressure groups in recent years?
How Pressure groups influence public policy?
- Electioneering: Placing in public officer persons who favour their interests better
- Lobbying: Persuading public officers to adopt and enforce policies of their interest
- Propagandizing: Mobilizing public support for their cause by making appropriate use of media or other political methods of marches, strikes, protests