Pressure groups are organised groups of individuals sharing common interests that seek to influence public policies and governmental decisions without attempting to capture political power or form the government.

Unlike political parties, pressure groups seek to influence those who exercise power rather than exercise power themselves.

Pressure Groups — Informal face of politics

Do not seek political power
- Unlike political parties, pressure groups generally do not contest elections or aim to form governments.
Influence public policy
- They attempt to shape laws, budgets and administrative decisions through lobbying, consultations, petitions and protests.
Operate outside formal institutions
- They are not constitutional organs, yet they influence Parliament, the executive, bureaucracy and political parties.
Represent specific interests
- They articulate the demands of particular sections such as farmers, workers, businesses, students, professionals and environmental groups.
Provide alternative political participation
- Citizens can participate in governance between elections through unions, associations, campaigns and social movements.

Pressure Group Vs Political Parties

“Pressure group politics is the informal face of politics” means that pressure groups influence political decisions without formally seeking or exercising governmental power.
Political parties constitute the formal face of politics because they contest elections, form governments and exercise constitutional authority. Pressure groups operate outside these formal institutions but seek to influence those who hold power.

Examples

FICCI and CII influence taxation, industrial and investment policies through consultations and lobbying.
Bharatiya Kisan Union and Samyukta Kisan Morcha influence MSP, procurement and agricultural legislation through mobilisation and negotiations.
Trade unions such as INTUC and BMS influence labour laws, wages and social-security policies.
Association for Democratic Reforms uses research, litigation and advocacy to promote electoral transparency.

Pressure groups constitute the informal face of politics by influencing public policy and governmental accountability without exercising formal political authority. They complement representative institutions by carrying citizens’ interests from society into the policymaking process between elections.

Sample Mains Question

Q.“Pressure group politics is sometimes seen as the informal face of politics.” Explain the statement with suitable examples from India.
[10 Marks | 150 Words]

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