In what ways do pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics?

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

Explain how the activities of pressure groups are useful in the functioning of a democratic government.

What is a pressure group? Give a few examples.

What is the difference between a pressure group and a political party?

Organisations that undertake activities to promote the interests of specific social sections such as workers, employees, teachers, and lawyers are called _______ groups.

Which among the following is the special feature that distinguishes a pressure group from a political party?

(a) Parties take political stances, while pressure groups do not bother about political issues.

(b) Pressure groups are confined to a few people, while parties involve larger number of people.

(c) Pressure groups do not seek to get into power, while political parties do.

(d) Pressure groups do not seek to mobilise people, while parties do.

Match List I (organisations and struggles) with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

	List I	List II
1.	Organisations that seek to promote the interests of a particular section or group	A. Movement
2.	Organisations that seek to promote common interest	B. Political parties
3.	Struggles launched for the resolution of a social problem with  or without an organizational structure	C. Sectional interest groups
4.	Organisations that mobilise people with a view to win political power	D. Public interest groups

 

	1	2	3	4
(a)	C	D	B	A
(b)	C	D	A	B
(c)	D	C	B	A
(d)	B	C	D	A

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

	List I	List II
1.	Pressure group	A. Narmada Bachao Andolan
2.	Long-term movement	B. Asom Gana Parishad
3.	Single issue movement	C. Women’s movement
4.	Political party	D.Fertilizer dealers’ association

Consider the following statements about pressure groups and parties.

A. Pressure groups are the organized expression of the interests and views of specific social sections.

B. Pressure groups take positions on political issues.

C. All pressure groups are political parties.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) A, B and C

(b) A and B

(c) B and C

(d) A and C

Mewat is one of the most backward areas in Haryana. It used to be a part of two districts, Gurgaon and Faridabad. The people of Mewat felt that the area will get better attention if it were to become a separate district. But political parties were indifferent to this sentiment. The demand for a separate district was raised by Mewat Educational and Social Organisation and Mewat Saksharta Samiti in 1996. Later, Mewat Vikas Sabha was founded in 2000 and carried out a series of public awareness campaigns. This forced both the major parties, Congress and the Indian National Lok Dal, to announce their support for the new district before the assembly elections held in February 2005. The new district came into existence in July 2005.

In this example what is the relationship that you observe among movement, political parties and the government? Can you think of an example that shows a relationship different from this one?