Question

Describe the forms of relationship between pressure groups and political parties?

Answer 1

Hint: Pressure Groups consists of a group of people having common interests which exert pressure on the government for the fulfilment of its interest. They share direct or Indirect relations with political parties.

Complete Step by Step answer: Pressure Groups are an organised aggregate, which seeks to influence the government decision making without attempting to place their members in formal governmental capacities.

The relationship between pressure groups and political parties can take different forms like direct and indirect relations.
1. Direct relation:
- Pressure groups are formed by Political Parties: Usually, pressure groups are formed by the leader of the political parties. They also act as extended arms of political parties. For example Students Union, Trade Union, Labour Union, Association of Industrialists are either established by or recognised by the major political parties.
- Political Parties evolved from pressure groups: In another way, political parties also come out from Pressure groups. The evolution of Assam Gana Parishad from the Assam movement, DMK and AIADMK from the movement group of Tamil Nady of the 1930s and 1940s are the example of direct relationship.

2. Indirect relation:
- Pressure groups and political parties opposed to each other: But in most cases, the relationship between two is not very direct because the main aim of the pressure group is to pressurise the ruling party.

Note: Both Interest and Pressure groups are organised but are two different terms. Interest groups protect a specific interest but they do not use pressure, tactics and extra-constitutional means to influence and coerce the Government. The Interest Groups are the neutral label and their decisions are very much formal.