Relationship between Political Groups and Pressure Groups
- In certain circumstances, pressure organizations are created or headed by political party officials, or they serve as political parties’ extended arms. In India, for example, the bulk of labor unions and student groups were created by or are affiliated with one of the major political parties.
- Movements can spawn political parties. For example, when the Assam student movement against “foreigners” came to an end, it resulted in the foundation of the Asom Gana Parishad.
- In most circumstances, the relationship between political parties and interest or movement organizations is not so straightforward. As most new leaders of political parties come from interest or movement groups, conversation and negotiation take place in this instance as well.
Pressure Groups and Movements
A pressure group refers to a group of people; who are organized activities for promoting and defending their common interests. It is called so for bringing a change in public policies by the exertion of some pressure on the government and also acts as a catalyst between the government and its members.
Pressure groups are also referred to as interest groups or vested groups and they differ from the political parties; as they do not contest in elections and also do not try to capture political power. Protection and promotion of their members from the influence of the government are one of their primary concerns. They influence policy making and policy implementation in the government through legal as well as legitimate methods.
These groups come in a variety of shapes and sizes :
- From the standpoint of purpose, self-seeking, and altruism.
- With regard to the point of tenure, ephemeral and long-term; and with regard to the formal or informal bureaucratic organization, taking into account the fact of power position.