give an example of the roles of functions of interest groups
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Answer:
Role of Interest Groups in Elections:
To contest elections is the function of the political parties and not of the pressure groups. Pressure groups, by nature are non-partisan groups. Nevertheless, these indirectly play a crucial role in elections. When the political parties are selecting their candidates, these groups try to influence the choice.
These try to get nominations for only such candidates as are considered sympathetic to their interests. In the words of V.O. Key, “Groups tend to develop behind the non-partisan facade to perform the functions of recruiting and backing candidates”. Dr. Johri also remarks, “The form taken by group politics at the time of war of nominations is a matter of tricks and tactics.”
The groups are the objects of election campaigns organised by the political parties. Each political party tries to tap the organised bases of groups for increasing its support and strength in elections. The interest groups always try to secure the defeat of ‘unhelpful’ candidates. Election month is a bargaining month for the groups.
They try for the inclusion of favourable provisions in the election manifestoes of political parties. After elections, the pressure groups try to influence the choice of ministers from amongst the elected members.
Thus, each pressure group always tries to influence the outcome of elections without getting directly involved in the election process and electoral politics. These play a hide and seek game during elections.
4. Role of Interest Groups in the Party Politics:
In a political system, there is present a continuous process of interactions between political parties and pressure groups. The latter are always at work to influence the policies and activities of a political party (usually the majority party) or parties in such a way as can help them to secure their interests.
The former are also continuously engaged in attempts to secure the support, cooperation and resources of the organised groups in order to strengthen their respective chances in the political struggle.
It the process of politics, both have to depend upon the help and cooperation of each other. Both influence each other’s activities. Either the groups combine to form or support a political party as a political counterpart of their organisation or coalition, or a political party controls some groups and thereby impart a politico-ideological content to their activity.
Analysing the interactions between interest groups and political parties Gabriel A. Almond observes, “The result is not only a process of interaction and interpretation. When the party controls groups it inhibits the capacity of groups to formulate pragmatic specific demands but when groups control a party, they inhibit the capacity of a party to combine specific interests into programmes with wider appeal.”
“Pressure groups do not themselves,” writes Henry A. Turner, “draft party programmes or nominate candidates for public office. Pressure associations do, however, appear before the resolution committees of the political parties, to urge the endorsement of their programmes as planks in the party’s platforms.
They often attempt to secure the endorsement of all the major parties and thus remove their programme from the arena of partisan controversy. Many groups are also active in the nomination and election of party members to public offices.”
Groups also work with political parties, although some pretence is usually taken to preserve a facade of neutrality, so that a group will not be denied access to decision-makers for aligning itself solely with any one party. Thus, pressure groups play an important role in party politics.