Answer:

Interest Groups basically are organized groups of people which seek to attain certain interests. Their goal could be a policy that exclusively benefits group members or one segment of society (e.g., government subsidies for farmers) or a policy that advances a broader public purpose (e.g., improving air quality).

Pressure groups are a sub-type of interest groups. While interest groups vary widely in their form, focus area and organization, pressure groups are rather formally organized and focus more on engaging with political actors. While all pressure groups are interest groups, not every interest group is a pressure group.

Pressure groups make use of different techniques and methods to achieve their objectives. Some of the most common techniques are as follows:

♤ Lobbying: This includes making representations to the legislature or other departments of governments in order to influence public policy in favour of themselves. For instance, organizations like CII and FICCI often make representation to government to influence economic policies.

♤ Strikes and demonstations: This involves using non-violent methods in order to influence decision-making. For instance, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan organized public hearings, strikes for demanding Right to Information Act.

♤ Physical demonstrations and violence: These methods are employed by anomic pressure groups. For instance, use of violence by Naxalites, ULFA.

♤ Association or affiliation with political parties: Examples include trade unions, student organizations etc.

♤ Propagandizing: Influencing the public opinion by publishing information in mass domain using media and other means.

♤ Use of traditional social structure: This include communal groups and religious bodies which seek to influence government decision making. Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS), All India Muslim Personal Law Board are examples of such a pressure group.

Pressure groups are now considered as an indispensable and helpful element of the democratic process. The society has become highly complex and individuals cannot pursue their interests on their own. They need the support of other fellow beings in order to gain greater bargaining power; this gives rise to pressure groups based on common interests.

Democratic politics has to be politics through consultation, through negotiation and some amount of bargaining is also involved. Thus, it is very essential for the government to consult these organised groups at the time of policy formulation and implementation.