Explain three ways under which pressure groups exert influence on politics.

Pressure groups, interest groups and movements attempt to influence government policies and decisions without directly controlling or sharing political power. They often tend to have their opinion regarding a particular political situation or policy and put forward the same through various means and measures.

1. They often attempt to seek public support and sympathy in order to fulfill their goals by carrying out information campaigns, organizing meetings, filing petitions, etc. on a large scale. Most of these groups try to influence the media into giving more attention to these issues.

2. They also organize protest activities like strikes or disrupting government programmes. For example, most of the workers’ organizations, employees’ associations, and movement-based groups resort to these tactics in order to force the government to take note of their demands.

3. Business groups, many times, employ professional lobbyists or sponsor expensive advertisements to put forward their opinions. Sometimes people from particular groups also participate in official bodies and committees that offer advice to the government.

NOTE – Unlike political parties, pressure groups do not contest elections. They play the role of keeping a check on the activities of the government as well as influencing the policies and decisions of the government.