Q-11 | Paper 2

 Qn 11. What is the difference between interest groups and pressure groups? (2015/II/Q.1c/10m)

Interest groups and pressure groups are both actors of groups politics - they are organised efforts aspiring for a particular cause. Although sometimes considered similar, there are debated and slight differences between the two entities.

Interest groups are organisations seeking to advance a particular interest, concern or cause, while usually not seeking to form a government or part thereof. They rely on a variety of campaigning and lobbying methods to exert influence on government policy. It is often used synonymously with pressure groups, organised groups and catalytic groups. Other scholarly labels include ‘anonymous empire’ (S. E. Finer), ‘invisible government’ (D. D. McKean) and ‘unofficial government’ (T. Sellin and R. D. Lambert).

On the other hand, Pressure groups are non-profit and (usually) voluntary organisations whose members have a common cause, for which they seek to influence political or corporate decision-makers to achieve a declared objective. According to Blondel, they are studied for the “extent to which they enter the political process”.

Differences between interest groups and pressure groups, though contested, minimal and vague, can be pointed out as:

1. Nature: Interest groups are protective while pressure groups are both protective and promotive.
2. Structure: Interest groups are formally organised, while pressure groups are more strictly structured.
3. Orientation: Interest groups are interest-oriented, while pressure groups are focussed on pressure tactics.
4. Outlook: Interest groups are softer in outlook while pressure groups tend to be harsher in attitude.
5. Output: Interest groups may or may not influence the governmental action. On the other hand, pressure groups are comparatively more successful in influencing policies.
6. Classification: Interest groups are classified into communal, institutional and associational groups. Pressure groups are classified into associational, non-associational, institutional and anomic groups.
7. Usage: The term ‘interest group’ is used in the U.S. and elsewhere to describe all organised groups. In the U.K., ‘interest group’ is used only for those that forward interests of their members and ‘pressure group’ is used to broadly describe organised groups.
8. Connotation: Interest groups are varyingly judged. But pressure groups sometimes attract disapproval due to their group concern or methods employed, i.e. it is a relatively negatively perceived. JD Reynand, distinguishing between them, said: “when the interest groups act at the political level, they are called pressure groups”.

Interest and pressure groups are manifestations of group action. These groups play an instrumental role in governments accruing legitimacy. They are often used synonymously, so it remains difficult to make dichotomous distinctions between the two.