Pressure Groups SS1 Government Lesson Note

Pressure groups can be defined as the collections of individuals with identical aims, aspirations, values and endeavours organised to influence governmental policies towards the attainment and protection of their special interest.

 TYPES OF PRESSURE GROUPS

1. Economic Pressure Group: They include manufacturer’s associations, cocoa producers unions etc which seek to influence the government on issues concerning their members.
2. Professional Pressure Group: These are associations of professionals including medical doctors, lawyers etc
3. Occupational Pressure Group: These are formed by workers who belong to the same occupation to protect the occupation and the interests of their members. These groups include; the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) etc.
4. Educational Pressure Group: These are the student unions, and Academic Staff Union of the University (A.S.S.U.) whose major aims are to seek the improvement of the educational system and protect the educational interest of its members.
5. Religious Pressure Group: These are pressure groups formed to pursue their religious interest. They include the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) etc.
6. Social Pressure Group: These groups like Old Boys and Old Girls Associations, Student Unions, Youth Clubs, etc, are formed to promote the social interest and welfare of their members.
7. Ethnic/Cultural Pressure Group: It refers to the group formed to promote and protect the interests of some ethnic groups e.g. OPC, Arewa etc.
8. Anomic Pressure Groups: They are organised against some government actions and cease to exist upon the achievement of their aims.

FACTORS THAT CAN AID ITS EFFECTIVE OPERATION

1. Large Size: The impact of pressure groups is usually felt when having a large membership than with a small membership.
2. Dedication and Unity: Pressure groups are more effective when there is a high degree of dedication and unity among its members.
3. Adequate Funds: There should be the availability of adequate funds with which to sponsor their programmes.
4. Capability of the Leadership: The effectiveness of pressure groups to a very large extent depends on the quality of their leadership. The more pragmatic and charismatic the leaders are the more effective the pressure group.
5. Attitude of Government: The attitude of the government of the day towards the activities of the pressure group is very important.
6. Good Organisation/Strategy: With good organisation, the operation of a pressure group can be very effective.

 WEAKNESSES OR FACTORS WORKING AGAINST THE SUCCESS OF PRESSURE GROUPS

1. Weak leadership: Weak leadership renders pressure groups ineffective and makes them unable to achieve their demands.
2. Poor organisation: A poorly organised pressure group will be a non-achiever.
3. Illiteracy: Illiteracy among members of pressure groups militates against their success.
4. Lack of adequate funds: To have an effective and achievable programme, they need enough funds.
5. Lack of dedication among members: If members of the group are not dedicated, they may not achieve their set goals.
6. Inadequate political education: If leaders and members of a group are not properly educated about their rights, they cannot be effective.
7. The type of government: The type and system of government being adopted in a country determines the success of pressure groups.

 TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED BY PRESSURE GROUPS (MODE OF OPERATION)

1. Dialogue: It is a formal discussion between the government and pressure groups for a peaceful resolution.
2. Ultimatum: It involves setting a date beyond which a drastic action will be taken. Either party could be issued an ultimatum.
3. Lobbying: This means persuading influential officials to support the position of the lobbyist.
4. Demonstration: This is a protest procession along major routes to create awareness and elicit support from the people.
5. Strike: It is the temporary withdrawal of services as a means to apply pressure on the government.
6. Violence: It involves violent means such as kidnapping, arson, riots, etc to force the government to comply.
7. Mass media: It involves the use of intensive media campaigns through news features, advertisements, billboards etc.
8. Open air campaign.

 DISADVANTAGES OR DEMERITS OR DANGERS OF PRESSURE GROUPS

1. They are self-centred: Pressure groups as selfish interest groups only seek the interests of their members.
2. Political instability: Activities of pressure groups may bring about the downfall of a government thereby causing political instability.
3. Pressure groups encourage their members to be lawless through their confrontational activities.
4. Social disorder: Pressure groups may cause a state of anarchy and chaos in a country e.g. riots, violent demonstrations etc. Their strikes, industrial actions and boycotts may seriously destabilize the economy of a country.
5. The support given to a political party by a pressure group may produce a government that does not have the legitimate support of the people.
6. Pressure groups are elitist because they are not organised to reach everybody in society.
7. The use of rioting by pressure groups may cause a lot of damage to government properties.
8. Pressure groups may corrupt public officials by engaging in lobbying.