In the modern advanced countries, the pressure groups play an important role in the working of the government. As a matter of fact, some of the government activities are delegated to them. We shall give here below two examples of doing so.
Consultation: In many States, it is now an accepted principle that recognised interests should be consulted both in the making of the laws and implementation of the laws. For instance, in Great Britain, the Agricultural Acts of 1947 and 1957 have made consultation a statutory duty. The pressure groups also participate in economic planning and policy making. In Britain, the views of the Cotton Board, an interest group, have been accepted by the Government as being the views of the textile industry. The government thus avoids the awkward task of arbitrating between conflicting interests of the textile industry.
Joint co-operation: The pressure groups also co-operate with the government in implementing various policies. In Britain, for instance, the Trade Union Congress, a labour organisation, work together with the representatives of the management in the National Economic Development Council and on the Economic Development Committee established in various industries in 1964. There are also various joint advisory committees. In France also, the Commissariat du plan is staffed by experts, but representatives of the business firms and trade unions work with the government officials on various modernisation commissions.
Forms of Pressure:
It will be interesting to mention the various ways the pressure groups bring pressure on the government. Some of them are as under:
- Refusal of Co-operation with the government: Business groups may refuse to co-operate or to continue rendering assistance and advice to a government department. This technique was applied by the iron and steel industry in Great Britain against the nationalisation policy of the British Labour Party just after the World War II.
- Strike: Strikes are often resorted to by labour and professional associations consisting of members of the same trade, profession or enterprise for purposes of wage increase, etc.
- Electioneering: Pressure groups participate in elections by supporting candidates favourable to their interests.
- National publicity campaigns: Pressure groups often undertake nation-wide publicity campaigns in order to cultivate a favourable climate of opinion among the people for their aims and thereby bring pressure on the government. These campaigns may be organised by public relations firms, which specialise in public relationing. Moreover, public meetings are held to oppose a governmental policy.
Formation of a political party: In multiple party countries, the pressure groups may form political parties of their own in order to put pressure on the government. This technique cannot be easily employed in the countries which have only two-party system.