LESSON NOTE ON GOVERNMENT – SSS 1

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PRESSURE GROUP

Pressure group can be defined as an organized group of people with the aim of influencing government decisions rather than taking control of government.

TYPES OF PRESSURE GROUP

1. Economic pressure group e.g. MAN
2. Professional pressure group e.g. NBA, NNA
3. Educational pressure group e.g. NANS, ASUU, NUT, etc.
4. Labour pressure group e.g. NLC, TUC, etc.
5. Social pressure group e.g. Rotary Club, Old Boys Association, etc.
6. Promotional pressure group e.g. SNG, Red Card Movement, SERAP, etc.
7. Religious pressure group e.g. MURIC, CAN, etc.

FUNCTION/IMPORTANCE OF PRESSURE GROUPS

1. They offer useful suggestion to government.
2. Pressure group act as a check against dictatorship.
3. They provide free welfare service to the public.
4. They act as important link between government and people.
5. They educate people through seminars, workshops and debates.
6. They assist government in policy formulation.

MODE OF OPERATION OF PRESSURE GROUPS

Following are the methods or techniques employed by pressure groups to achieve their objectives.
1. Mass media broadcast or publication.
2. Strike – that is, refusal to work or boycott – that is refusal to attend meeting or lectures.
3. They engage in public demonstrations which could be peaceful or violent.
4. Working in alliance with political parties.
5. Lobbying: this is efforts to influence prominent officials to take an action to effect a desirable change.
6. Dialogue/consultation: this is a formal discussion between government and pressure group representatives to settle issues amicably rather than confrontationally.
7. Consistent criticism and pressure on the executives.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POLITICAL PARTIES AND PRESSURE GROUPS

S No	POLITICAL PARTY	PRESSURE GROUP
1	They are concerned with acquisition and retention of political power	Pressure group aims at exerting pressure on government to fulfill their demand.
2	Political party competes in elections with other political parties and carry out political campaigns	They do not take part in elections.
3	They are accountable to the public on their work on welfare and sometimes their financials.	They are not accountable to the public.
4	People come together to form or join political party based on similar political aspirations or goals. In other words, it is for political reasons.	People join pressure groups based on similar beliefs, values or goals apart from politics.
5	Individuals in a political party cannot belong to another political party at the same time.	Members of a pressure group can belong to another pressure group and also be members of political parties.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

• (a) Define pressure group.
• (b) Mention the types of pressure with examples
• (c) How do pressure group achieve their aims?
• (d) Distinguish between pressure group and political party.

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