Political Parties in India :part 5

Pressure Groups / Interest Groups
Definition
Organised associations or unions of people sharing common interests.
Aim to influence government policies and decisions to benefit their members.
Key Definitions by Scholars:
Almond & Powell: Instruments of interest articulation.
David Truman: “Attitude groups making claims on other groups in society.”
V.O. Key: Private organisations established to influence public policy.

---

Distinction Between Interest Groups and Pressure Groups

Interest Groups	Pressure Groups
Protect specific interests	Protect common interests
Long-term campaigns	Short-term, specific campaigns
Prefer lobbying, no extra-constitutional methods	Use protests, demonstrations, boycotts, etc.
May or may not influence government policy	Primary aim is to influence government policy
Focused on protection	Focused on protection and promotion

Note: All pressure groups are interest groups, but not all interest groups are pressure groups.

---

Characteristics
Specific interests: Formed around defined objectives.
Collective approach: Collective rather than individual action.
Limited membership: Only those directly concerned join.
Non-participation in direct politics: Do not contest elections.
Use of traditional and modern methods: Caste/religion influence + lobbying/funding.
Use of constitutional & extra-constitutional methods: Petitions, campaigns, protests, demonstrations.

---

Techniques Employed
Mobilising public opinion through awareness campaigns.
Constitutional: Legal appeals, petitions.
Extra-constitutional: Protests, picketing, demonstrations.
Lobbying government officials and political leaders.
Public relations via media and advertising.
Engagement with regulatory bodies and institutions.
Conducting research to support arguments.

---

Relationship with Political Parties
Do not seek direct power (unlike political parties).
Formed for specific issues, parties have broader ideological agendas.
Represent homogeneous groups, parties appeal to diverse voters.
Generally non-partisan; support any party aligning with their interests.
Example: RSS (pressure group) vs BJP (political party).

---

Roles
Supplement political parties by representing electorally weak groups.
Provide responsible criticism of government policies.
Act as a communication link between government and citizens.
Offer expertise in public policy formulation.
Encourage political participation without joining a party.

---

Types of Pressure/Interest Groups in India