Home » Governance » Pressure Groups » Concerns related to Pressure groups in India
- Narrow selfish interests: Unlike the pressure groups in the developed countries of the West, where these are invariably organised to safeguard economic, social, cultural interests, etc. in India these groups are organised around religious, regional and ethnic issues.
- Misuse of power: Instead of the pressure groups exerting influence on political process, they become tools and implements to subserve political interests.
- Instability: Most pressure groups do not have autonomous existence; they are unstable and lack commitment, their loyalties shift with political situations which threatens general welfare. Ex: Naxalite movement started in 1967 in West Bengal.
- Propagating extremism: Pressure groups can allow too much influence over the government from unelected extremist minority groups, which in turn could lead to unpopular consequences.
- Political interest: Instead of the pressure groups exerting influence on political process, they become tools and implements to serve political interest.
- Lack of accountability: Regardless of which groups are most powerful, pressure group influence is exerted in a way that is not subject to scrutiny and public accountability. Pressure groups usually exert influence behind closed doors.
- The leadership of these groups tends to lack democratic organisation. Therefore, they may not actually present a true of picture of public opinion, but instead may demonstrate the desires of the leader who articulate the groups policy interests to government.
