Pressure groups

Definition of Pressure Group

A pressure group can be defined as an interest group which seeks to pursue its aim by influencing government to make decision that will provide favour for its members. It can also be seen as a group of people who share a common interest and they put pressure on government, in order to realize their aim. Pressure groups do not attempt to take control of government. In other words, pressure groups attempt to influence the policies of the government through pressure or persuasion, but do not attempt to feed their own candidate for election under their table. Therefore, pressure groups are more interested in the physics of government and not in capturing government.

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), the Nigeria Chambers Of Commerce (NCC), the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), are all pressure groups.

Types of Pressure Groups

1. Occupational Pressure Group: This type of pressure group is formed by people belonging to the same occupation. The main aim of this group is to improve the working conditions of their members e.g. Nigeria Union of Journalism (NUJ), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).
2. ReligiousPressure Groups: These are groups that are formed to protect the interest of religious bodies e.g. Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Muslim Student Association etc.
3. Religious Pressure Groups: These are also called business pressure groups. These groups are consist of business as well as trading organizations. Business pressure groups seems top influence the government and employers over matters like wages , working hours, general business/working condition. E.g. the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce (NCC), and the Nigeria Employers Constitute Assembly.
4. Promotional Pressure Groups: These groups are formed to promote certain course e.g the civil liberty organization, protects the rights of all Nigerians. They campaign for the defence of human rights and was formed to agitate for freedom of the masses .e.g. NBA gives free legal services to the less privileged in the society.
5. Social Pressure Groups: They are formed to promote the general welfare of their members. Some of these groups are Boys Scout, Girls Guide, Rotary Club, Old boys Association etc.
6. Religious Pressure Groups: This includes the Christians, Muslims, African traditional religion practitioners, etc.
7. Ethnic-oriented Pressure Groups: These groups comprise of members who are of the same racial background common ancestors and usually binded together by common language e.g. Urhobo Progressive Union, Egbe Omo Oduduwa.
8. Radical Pressure Groups: These include those that may use force if peaceful means are not available e.g. National association of Nigeria Students

Characteristics of Pressure Groups

1. The members of pressure groups share common interest for instance, the members of the Nigerian Union of Techers have a common interest which is to protect and promote the general interest and well-being of teachers.
2. They influence government decisions in order to achieve their goals or interest.
3. Their activities are usually concentrated on a narrow aspect of government. They have no intention to change or replace government but to make government perform better for the interest of all.
4. They do no aim t fielding their members in any elections or seeking positions for them in government.
5. Pressure groups do not meet the test of acceptance or rejection because their aims are not defined either for acceptance or for rejection.
6. Their formations are voluntarily, spontaneous and membership does not attract any reward.

Modes of Operation of Pressure Groups

In their desire to prevent what they may consider harmful or to promote favourable policy, pressure groups may adopt any of the following methods.

1. Lobbying: This is sometimes the first method by which members of a pressure group tries to influence the legislature or executive by constantly asking for interviews with them, writing letters and putting external pressure on them.
2. Demonstrations: Pressure groups also exploit this medium to influence policies that would favour their members. They therefore sometimes embark on peaceful demonstrations to achieve their goals.
3. Strikes: Pressure groups also employ the use of strikes where workers boycott their work places and down their tools in other to press home demands.
4. Boycotts:Sometimes pressure groups refuse to cooperate with the authorities until their demands are met.
5. Work-to-rule:No extra work is done apart from the normal working period.
6. Propaganda: Sometimes also, pressure groups also use propaganda and campaign to make government and policy makers meet their demands.
7. Issuance of Ultimatums: This is a vital weapon of pressure groups. They use this to present their demands and giving policy makers stipulated number of day to meet their demands, after which other strategies may be employed.
8. Debate and Symposia/Workshops:These are organized to educate the people the people on their work and their stand on some issues.
9. Rioting:This is the use of violence means to achieve the objectives of their members. It is the advanced form of demonstration. Sometimes, demonstration often degenerates to riots.
10. Political Consultation: Pressure groups also employ the weapon of political consultation to get their demands met. They may meet with political parties on how they can support their programmes so that when they eventually come to power, their interest will be projected.
11. Sending a delegation:Pressure groups select some of their members to discuss their problems with the government or decision makers.
12. Letters to the press:Pressure groups write letters to the press to educate the people and to show their stand on important policies.
13. Special publications:This is done either in the press, hand bills or a booklet to publicize their action.
14. Presentation of gifts:in West Africa, a common feature of pressure is to present gifts (gratification) to policy makers to influence their decision on some issues.

Functions of Pressure Groups

1. Pressure groups aim to inform and educate both their members and the overall population about political issues.
2. They provide an organized channel through which individuals may participate in the political process and seek to influence policies of government. Increasingly also some pressure groups seek to influence the activities of multinational corporations.
3. Pressure groups serve as a pool of talent for political recruitment in that many party politicians begin their careers as pressure group activists.
4. Pressure groups provide opportunities for individuals to influence government policy between elections which obviously strengthens the overall democratic process.
5. Pressure groups scrutinize the activities of government and publicize cases of government mismanagement and government activities which may be “ultra vires” [i.e. actions which exceed the powers granted in current legislation.s They therefore provide an important mechanism for the limitation of excessive executive power.
6. Pressure groups may provide governments with useful information although, at the same time, a government will wish to take account of possible bias in this information.
7. They serve as a powerful link between the people and the government. This is done by officials of the pressure group consulting with the representatives of the government and presenting the views/demands of the people to the representative of the government.
8. They assist the government in the execution of some of its functions. Government do delegate pressure groups that are expert in certain fields to handle its programme e.g. Nigerian Medical Association gives government inputs on the reduction of the dreaded AIDS and HIV ravaging in some parts of the country.
9. Pressure groups help legislators and officials of the government with statistical data, inputs on some important and technical issues which they cannot ordinarily handle for the implementation of government policies.
10. Even though pressure groups are not elected by the people, they give support to the government so that they may be acceptable by the people.
11. They criticize unpopular government policies and prevent maladministration and checks dictatorial tendencies of any government.
12. Pressure groups like the Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Mining, etc. contribute greatly to the growth and development of the country.
13. They also serve in different arms of government, e.g. on tribunals, committees, etc.
14. They educate people about their fundamental rights and also provide political education to the public and in some cases; they promote welfare services to the public especially Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).
15. They also represent diverse interest of the society since membership of such groups comes from different background which may not be represented in the government.
16. Pressure group may influence member of the executives, who have law making input and who can rightly decide the effectiveness of law enforcement. o

Differences between Pressure Groups and Political Parties

1. Political parties aim at winning elections and controlling government while pressure groups aim at influence government policies to benefit their members.
2. Political parties submit candidates that contest elections while pressure groups do not.
3. Political parties are better organized than pressure groups.
4. Some pressure groups may cease to exist especially after achieving their aims but political parties have unlimited aims and they will continue to exist.
5. Pressure groups pursue narrow interests which are those of their members but political parties pursue national interests.
6. Political parties are organized to reach large number of people while pressure group activities are intended to reach few people.
7. Pressure groups usually do not have elected members like political parties which must have elected candidates.
8. Pressure groups may seek to raise controversial issues and to support minorities which political parties neglect for fear of electoral unpopularity.
9. In terms of participation in politics, political parties are more politically-oriented than pressure groups.

EVALUATION

1. State six differences between political parties and pressure groups.
2. Define pressure group and state the types of pressure group.