Movement Groups
Movements are also comprised of a diverse range of groups. The numerous instances given above demonstrate a straightforward distinction. The majority of the movements are issue-specific and aim to achieve a single goal in a short period of time. Others are more broad-based movements that aim to attain a long-term goal. This type of movement is well-exemplified by the Narmada Bachao Andolan.
Narmada Bachao Andolan started with the specific issue of people who are displaced by the creation of the Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada river. Gradually, it was a wider movement that questioned all big dams and models of development that required such dams. These types of movements have an active life but are short-lived.
These single-issue movements can be compared with long-term movements that address multiple issues. Examples of such movements include the environmental movement and the women’s movement. There is no single organization in charge of directing or controlling such movements. The term “environmental movement” refers to a wide range of organizations and issue-specific initiatives. All of them have their own organizations, independent leadership, and often opposing viewpoints on policy issues. Despite this, they all share a broad goal and a similar methodology, which is why they’re called movements.
Sometimes these broad movements have loose umbrella organizations as well; like National Alliance for People’s Movement (NAPM) is one organization with various organizations. Many movements struggling on one issue are constituents of this loose organization which coordinates the activities of a large number of people movements in our country.
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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