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Distinguish Pressure Group and Political Party. (250 words)
Pressure Groups
Pressure groups are groups that are formed due to the common interest. They promote and defend the common interest. As the name suggests their way of defending or promoting the interest that they follow is by putting pressure on the government through various ways. They believe and attempt to bring a change in any of the public policy that is against their interest by pressurizing the government. You can understand it as a liaison between its members and the government.
Political Party
A political party on the other hand, as we all know, is a group of people who contest elections to hold the power in the government. They are one of the most visible institutions in a democracy. These parties stand on some agenda that is propagated during the election, they announce to fulfill these agendas for the welfare of the society. And promise to fulfil them once they come in power
Origin
The origin of the pressure group is traced back to the USA, where pressure groups were their way out for the groups fighting for the common interest. Apart from political parties, pressure groups started to gain power by pressurizing the government to make the required changes in the policy
Political parties were being formed in 1787 where there was a struggle over ratification of the federal Constitution, in the United States of America. When there was friction increased between the parties who were divided into two sides to get the answer of how powerful the federal government would be”, instead of discussing the new federal government. So the two parties formed the political groups which stood against each other and fought for their own side. This was the origin of political parties and pressure groups
For a healthy democracy, pressure groups and political parties are essential. Because of the loose party structure and the federal system's character, there is a continual interaction between the two. Although an interest group has rarely been able to take complete control of a political party, both are attempting to penetrate each other. The pressure organizations aid the parties in educating them about their members' interests, as well as providing some cross-fertilization of ideas and personnel assistance.
Similarities
- They're both attempting to sway public opinion on a particular topic.
- They both serve as a conduit for information between the general people and the government.
- Furthermore, they both try to influence the government's public policies.
Differences
Political party | Pressure group |
---|---|
Political parties make up the government, and they have the power to set policies and make decisions. | The pressure organizations will not be part of the government and will operate independently. |
Political parties are created with the goal of gaining political power and, via their policies and practices, improving the country. | Pressure groups are founded with the intention of meeting a certain demand. As a result, they emerge and dissipate based solely on necessity. |
The political party's membership will be open, and its organizational structure will be transparent. | The membership of pressure groups is either exclusive or selective. They may also have a muddled organizational structure. |
Even when they are not in power, political parties have a direct and continuous influence on the government and its policies. | Pressure groups impact the government and its policies in a sporadic and indirect manner. |
Political parties, in general, bring the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government closer together. | Pressure organizations exerted undue pressure on the Executive, Legislature, and, to a lesser extent, the judiciary, to change their minds. |
For the most part, political parties rely on constitutional mechanisms to achieve their goals. | To achieve the desired change, pressure groups mostly use conventional and non-traditional techniques (corruption, strike, etc.). |
In general, political parties work together for the good of the country. | For the most part, pressure groups work together and cooperate for their own benefit. |
The Indian Election Commission registers and regulates political parties. | They may be incorporated as a society, but they will be governed by their own interests. |
Donations from the general population are given to political parties. | The pressure groups are funded by the local community or by individuals with vested interests. |