What is a Pressure Group/Interest Group?

A pressure group is an organized or unorganized body that promotes its particular interests within society. They exert influence on public officials and agencies for their interests. They direct their efforts towards influencing the government policies and forming public opinion.

They do not aim to share political power. These organizations are formed by the people of common interests, occupations, or opinions and work for the common objective. For example, the Jan Lok pal bill movement and movements for the right to information are a few examples of pressure groups.

Difference between a Pressure Group and a Political Party

A pressure group is an organized or unorganized body that seeks to promote its interests. Whereas a political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating candidates with aligned political views and trying to seat them in political office

Pressure groups aim to influence government policies and form public opinion. Whereas political parties have their own idealogy and vision and represent various interests. Pressure groups do not aim to directly control or share political power. It works for the common interest of the group alone. Whereas a political party seeks to attain political power in the country by contesting the elections

Relationship between Pressure Groups and Political Parties

The relationship between political parties and pressure groups can take various forms :

1. In some cases political parties form pressure groups. They do so to increase their influence on the public. Many students' organizations in India are set up by political parties.

2. In some cases political parties are formed out of pressure groups. In case of the long struggle for their causes, these pressure groups eventually take the shape of political parties and contest elections.

3. In some cases political parties and pressure groups are in opposition to each other. They have different and conflicting views and ideas. They can negotiate with each other on such conflicting matters./

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