Pressure Groups

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Welcome to class! 

In today’s class, we will be talking about pressure groups. Enjoy the class!

Pressure Groups

Meaning

This is an organization of like minds coming together formally with a view of protecting or advancing some particular interest. A pressure group is an organized group that seeks to influence government (public) policy or protect or advance a particular cause or interest. Groups may promote a specific issue and raise it the political agenda or they may have more general political and ideological objectives in mind when they campaign.

Types of pressure groups

1. A gender pressure group: This pressure group is set up solely to defend gender interest.
2. An economic professional pressure group: This is a pressure group set-up to converse for economic issues
3. An ethnic or cultural pressure group: This is formed along with ethnic interest e.g. Odua people congress (OPC), Arewa people’s congress (APC)
4. A religious pressure group: Such groups influence government policies over religious issues e.g. Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Muslim student society (MSS)
5. An anomic pressure group: This is an unorganized group or action group working against the decisions of the government
6. A social pressure group: Are generally out to promote the interest of their members e.g. boy’s scout, girls guide. E.t.c.

Factors that can aid effective operations of pressure group

1. Existence of a high degree of dedication and unity
2. Supply of adequate funds
3. The capacity of the leadership
4. The relevance of its aims and objectives

Mode of operation of the pressure group

This is also known as techniques to achieve their objectives and they include the following:

1. The use of a mass media like radio, TV, newspaper, press conference
2. The use of dialogue between representatives of government and pressure group
3. The use of ultimatum: This comes up after different avenues of dialogue has been exhausted without result
4. Mounting of pressure on the executive arm of Government
5. Working alliance with the political party
6. Demonstration/ Protest
7. Consultation

Evaluation

1. Define pressure groups.
2. Outline five (5) types of pressure groups.
3. Explain four (4) modes by which pressure group operate.
4. Describe four (4) factors that can determine the effectiveness of pressure groups.
5. Give five examples of pressure groups in Nigeria.

 

In our next class, we will be talking about Factors Working Against the Success of Pressure Groups.  We hope you enjoyed the class.

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