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Q1 In what ways do pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics?
Ans: Pressure groups and movements makes influence on politics :
1) Information campaigns, organizing meetings, file petitions: Pressure groups carries out information campaigns, organize meetings, and file petitions to get public attention and gain support for their activities.
2) Media: They takes help from the media to reach number of people through news channels and to gain maximum support.
3) Strikes: Pressure groups exert influence by strikes and hunger strikes. This is a non violent way which was a great effect on politics. The government is, thus, pressurized to pay attention on their demand.
4) Advertisements and hoardings: Pressure groups and movements put up advertisements and boards everywhere so that people knows about their activities.
5) Lobbying and participation in official meetings: Business groups usually employ professional lobbyists. Few persons from the movement participate in the official meetings and advice to the government.
6) Take a political stance on major issues: Interest groups and movements do not directly involve in party politics but try to influence by taking a political stand on different matters. They have their own political thinking and political position on main issues.
Q2 Describe the forms of relationship between pressure groups and political parties?
Ans: The relationship between pressure groups and political parties can have different forms. It may be a direct or indirect relationship as given below :
Formation of pressure groups by leaders which are led by them: Pressure groups are usually formed and led by politicians and political parties. For example, most trade unions and students’ organizations in India are either settled or associated to one or other major political party. Examples are NSUI, ABVP. Formation of political parties out of movements: Political parties sometimes grow out of movements i.e. like DMK and AIADMK. Asom Gana Parishad was formed after the Aasam movement led by students against the foreigners ended. Indirect relation: Sometimes political parties take positions that are opposite to each other. But they stay in contact with each other. Most of the movement groups leads to the formation of new leadership of political parties. For example, student leaders of Delhi University join politics for long time.
Q3 Explain how the activities of pressure groups are useful in the functioning of a democratic government.
Ans: The pressure groups and movements have strengthen democracy. Putting pressure on the rulers is a healthy activity in democracy until everyone gets the opportunity. Governments can easily come in pressure from a group of rich and powerful people. Public interest groups and movements perform a important role of noticing this undue influence and reminding the government of needs and welfare of common people.
Q4 What is a pressure group? Give a few examples.
Ans: :Pressure group is an organization which tries to influence government policies. They do not aim to directly dominate or share political power. In order to acquire a common objective, people with common occupation, interests, desires, or beliefs come together . The term pressure group refers to a interest group whose members share few common qualities, make claims on the political process. Examples are FEDECOR and BAMCEF.
Q5 What is the difference between a pressure group and a political party?
Ans: :Pressure groups are organizations that tries to influence government policies. But unlike political parties, pressure groups do not aim to directly dominate or share political power. In order to acquire a common objective, people with common occupation, interests, desires, or beliefs come together . In some cases, the pressure groups are either formed or led by the leaders of political parties or act as extended supports for political parties. For example, most trade unions and students’ organizations in India are either settled or associated to one or the other political party. Leaders of such pressure groups are generallyy activists and leaders of party. Sometimes political parties grow out of movements. For example : Asom Gana Parishad was formed after the Aasam movement led by students against the foreigners ended. The roots of parties like the DMK and the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu can be found from a long drawn social reform movement during the 1930 and 1940s.
Q6 Organisations that undertake activities to promote the interests of specific social sections such as workers, employees, teachers, and lawyers are called _____________________ groups.
Ans: Organizations that undertake activities to promote the interests of specific social sections such as workers, employees, teachers, and lawyers are called Sectional interest groups.
Q7 Which among the following is the special feature that distinguishes a pressure group from a political party?
(a) Parties take political stances, while pressure groups do not bother about political issues.
(b) Pressure groups are confined to a few people, while parties involve larger number of people.
(c) Pressure groups do not seek to get into power, while political parties do.
(d) Pressure groups do not seek to mobilise people, while parties do.Ans: (c) Pressure groups do not seek to get into power, while political parties do.
Q8 Match List I (organisations and struggles) with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I List II
1. Organisations that seek to promote A. Movement the interests of a particular section or group
2. Organisations that seek to promote B. Political parties common interest
3. Struggles launched for the resolution C. Sectional interest of a social problem with or without groups an organisational structure
4. Organisations that mobilise people D. Public interest with a view to win political power groups(a) C D B A
(b) C D A B
(c) D C B A
(d) B C D A
Ans: (b) C D A B
Q9 Match List I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List I List II
(i) Pressure group A. Narmada Bachao Andolan
(ii) Long-term movement B. Asom Gana Parishad
(iii) Single issue movement C. Women’s movement
(iv) Political party D. Fertiliser dealers, association
(a) D C A B
(b) B A D C
(c) C D B A
(d) B D C A
Ans: (a) D C A B