DMPQ: What are the types of pressure groups? Discuss the significane of Pressure groups.

Pressure group is an organised group of people that wants to influence the policies or activities of those in able to make decision. This could be at a local, national or international level of government. There are various types of Pressure groups summarised below:

  • Social or Identity based groups: They have one particular identity. There are two types of this category. Community service like Singh Sabha movement andf Mobilisation for political ends eg. RSS and VHP
  • Associational or Professional groups like FICCI,CII, Bar council
  • Institutional groups – They exist within the government and exert pressure through government machinery. Example IAS lobby, IPS lobby etc
  • Ad hoc groups- formed for a specific purpose and dissolve after goal is achieved

 

Significance of pressure groups:

  • Serve as a channel of communication between state and citizen
  • They help to keep democracy alive between the elections.
  • It prevents the emergence of any dominate force in society.
  • They provide data information , technical inputs
  • They check the arbitrary use of state power.
  • They broaden the scope of popular participation.
  • They are reservoir of political leadership
  • Pressure group act as legislatures behind legislators..

 

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