3RD TERM

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TOPIC: PRESSURE GROUPS
CONTENT:
a. Definition of pressure groups
b. Types of pressure groups
c. Characteristics of pressure groups
d. Mode of operation
e. Functions of pressure groups
f. Difference between political parties and pressure groups
DEFINITION OF PRESSURE GROUPS
Pressure groups may be defined as a body of organised group of people with a defined interest, wishing to influence the policies of government as it affects the welfare of its members. Pressure groups do not involve themselves in contesting election nor are they ready to control the machinery of government.
TYPES OF PRESSURE GROUP
1. EconomicPressureGroup: main aim is to pursue the economic welfare of their members. These pressure groups include commerce, Agriculture and Industry, trade unions, employers union.
2. Occupational Pressure Group: formed by workers who belong to the same occupation in order to protect their members e.g. Nigeria Union of Journalist, Nigeria Union of Teachers.
3. Professional Pressure Group: some professional like doctors, lawyers, teachers, architects, etc. Come together to form these pressure groups e.g. Nigeria Bar Association with the aim of promoting their profession and professional interest.
4. Social Pressure Group: these groups like Student Unions, Youth Clubs, old boys and old girls associations, etc. Are aimed at promoting the social interest and welfare of their members.
5. Religious Pressure Group:these pressure group is formed with the aim of pursuing their religious interest and influencing government religious policies. They include Christians, Muslims and traditional religious associations.
6. Educational Pressure Groups: These group major aim is to see for improvement of the educational system and protecting educational interest of their members. They include NUT, Student Unions, and ASUU.
7. Promotional Pressure Group: these group promote some causes which may not directly benefit their members but for the less privilege in the society. They are out to secure improved condition for the people’s welfare e.g. National Council for Eradication of Illiteracy, Anti-slave trade movement in the 19th century, Society for the mentally retarded children, etc.
8. Anomic Groups: these are spontaneous unorganized mob groups which are interested in immediate achievement of goals or seizure of power. They use violence, arson, demonstrations, strikes, etc. E.g. students riot group, riots against hike in price of fuel, etc.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PRESSURE GROUPS
i. Pressure groups exist to protect the common interest of members and not to take over governance as political parties do.
ii. Pressure Groups depend on contributions, levies, dues and donation from members do as to carry out their activities.
iii. Pressure Groups membership is limited by profession, location, religion or other common interest.
MODE OF OPERATION
The methods used by pressure groups to achieve their objectives are :
i. Demonstration/ Protest: Pressure groups can demonstrate or protest against government policy through rioting, hijacking and holding people as hostages.
ii. Work-to-rule: no extra work is done apart from the normal working period.
iii. Strike: Pressure groups may refuse to work to back their demand.
iv. Debate and Symposia/ Workshop: these are organized to educate the people the people on their work and their stand on some issue.
v. Lobbying: this is done through legislators to persuade policy makers when policies are being made.
vi. Boycott: sometimes pressure groups refuse to cooperate with the authorities until their demands are met.
vii. Sending a delegation: pressure groups select some of their members to discuss their problems with the government or decision makers.
viii. Propaganda/ letters to the press: pressure groups write letters to the press to educate the people and to show their stand on important policies.
ix. Special publications: this is done either in the press, hand bills or a booklet to publicise their action.
x. 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.
xi. Ultimatum: this is the final statement of conditions which pressure groups issue to be accepted by the government without which action they deem necessary will be taken.
xii. Alliance with political parties: they associate with political parties in order to influence election result and certain programmes to be included in their manifesto.
EVALUATION
1. Enumerate the methods used by pressure groups to achieve their objectives.
2. State the types of pressure groups.
SUB-TOPIC 2: FUNCTIONS, ADVANTAGES AND IMPORTANCE OF PRESSURE GROUP
i. Pressure group act as watchdogs that check the activities of the government.
ii. Pressure groups help to promote the welfare of members of the public by rendering free medical and legal services by NMB and NBA.
iii. They bridge the communication gap between the government and the governed by giving out information on government policies to their members and members of the public.
iv. Pressure group also educates both their members and the public on their political rights.
v. They serve as a link between the government and the citizens.
vi. They help to influence and change obnoxious policies made by the government.
vii. Although pressure groups do not contest elections, they help to ensure smooth elections by showing concern in every stage of elections such as endorsing candidates, issuing campaign propaganda.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN POLITICAL PARTIES AND PRESSURE GROUPS
i. Political parties aim at winning elections and controlling government while pressure groups aim at influence government policies to benefit their members.
ii. Political parties submit candidates that contest elections while pressure groups do not.
iii. Political parties are better organized than pressure groups.
iv. Some pressure groups may cease to exist especially after achieving their aims but political parties have unlimited aims and they will continue to exist.
v. Pressure groups pursue narrow interests which are those of their members but political parties pursue national interests.
vi. Political parties are organized to reach large number of people while pressure group activities are intended to reach few group.
EVALUATION
State six differences between political parties and pressure groups.
WEEKED ASSIGNMENT
1. When a pressure group is made up of people of the same profession it is called.... (a) promotional group (b) occupational group (c) interest group (d) religious group (e) association group
2. The act of influencing legislation by persuading legislators is known as..... (a) electioneering (b) lobbying (c) gerrymandering (d) socialization (e) indoctrination
3. Membership of pressure groups is usually limited because they..... (a) Pursue specific and narrow objectives (b) seek unlimited freedom for their members (c) promote other people’s interest (d) are not patriotic (e) have dictatorial leaders.
4. The main objective of pressure groups is to... (a) fund election campaigns (b) change the government by violent means (c) influence government policies (d) change the manifesto of all political parties (e) form the government
5. Lobbying mainly involves the application of pressure on.... (a) people in commerce through monetary gifts (b) legislators through material gifts (c) people in government through persuasive arguments (d) legislators by intimidation and blackmail (e) trade unions through offer of gifts
EssayQuestions:
1. In a tabular form give six differences between political parties and pressure groups.
2. Define pressure group and state the types of pressure group.
READING ASSIGNMENT
Read pages 85 to 88 of Comprehensive Government.

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