Question

What is the difference between a pressure group and a political party?

Answer 1

• Pressure group is not a formal organisation, whereas political parties are formal organisations recognized by the Election Commission of India.
• Pressure groups do not aim to directly share or control political power like political parties.
• To make any changes in policy decisions, pressure groups apply pressure on Government through various means like organising mass protests, meetings, filing petitions, carrying out information campaigns, influencing through media etc. The pressure is basically external in nature, whereas political parties in the opposition, try to bring changes in policies of Government through various legislative means, like voting against a bill brought in by the Government either in Parliament or state legislative assemblies.
• Pressure groups need not have accountability to its people, whereas political parties are accountable, if not, they will be voted out of power by the electorate in the elections.
• Pressure groups are guided by issues which affect a certain group of people, for example, Narmada bachao Andolan was working against construction of a dam on Narmada river which later on became a movement against dams; whereas political parties focus on almost all the matters that concern the state or nation. Manifestos of national level political parties will cover everything from international relations, defence, science and technology, political equality, government schemes for upliftment of downtrodden people, poor people, agriculture, economy of the nation etc.