Classification of Pressure Groups
Institutional Interest Groups
These groups are organized in an organized way which consists mostly of professionally employed persons who try to exert their influence. They include political parties, legislatures, etc. Examples: IAS Association.
Associational Interest Groups
They are organized specialized groups formed for interest articulation, with a limited goal in mind. These include trade unions, organizations of industrialists, etc. Example: All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).
Anomic Interest Groups
Spontaneous breaks into the political system from society in the form of riots, demonstrations, etc. are known as anomic interest groups.
Non-Associational Interest Groups
Ethnic, regional, and class groups articulate interests on basis of individuals, family, and religious heads. These groups include caste groups, language groups, etc.
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.
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