The success or failure of the pressure groups in influencing the legislative and other policies and activities of the government depend upon the following factors:
Size: First of all, large pressure groups are usually more kiccessful in their purposes, for they possess greater financial resources.
But too large groups fail in their programmes, for they may lack Bohesiveness and be unable to utilise their potential of larger resources.
Unity: Another guarantee of success is the unity among U»c members of a pressure group: The greater the unity, the more a pressure group will be successful in its programmes. It means that its members ihould devote themselves loyally and wholeheartedly to its programmes. But as they are members of other groups also, they may not have time and •nergy to do so. This is particularly the case with very large groups: hence (leir large size becomes a source of weakness.
Leadership: Leadership is an essential factor in the Hiccess or failure of a pressure group. It provides energy and enterprise fhich will make the group successful or destroy it.
Strength of the party system: The success of the pressure groups very much depends upon the weakness of the party system. Great Britain, where the two parties are highly well-knit and powerful, the pressure groups are not as effective as in the United States, where the parties are not so strongly organised. Moreover, in the multiple party lystem, as in France, these groups are also very influential.
Importance to the economy: The effectiveness of the pressure groups depends on the extent to-which they can convince the that they can play important role in the national economy. Pressure groups are either ineffective or non-existent in the developing countries, ||cause they cannot contribute much too national economy.