Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary School 1

SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT

CLASS:  SS1

DATE:

TERM: 3RD TERM

• REFERENCE
• Essential Government by C.C. Dibie.
• Comprehensive Government by J.U. Anyaele.

WEEK SIX

TOPIC: PRESSURE GROUPS

CONTENT

1. Meaning and Types.
2. Functions, Factors That Aid Its Effective Operation and Factors Working Against Its Success.
3. Modes of Operation and Dangers Posed by Its Activities.

MEANING OF PRESSURE GROUPS

Pressure groups can be define as the collections of individuals with identical aims, aspiration, values and endeavours organised for the purpose of influencing governmental policies towards the attainment and protection of their individual special interest

TYPES OF PRESSURE GROUPS

1. Economic Pressure Group: They include manufacturer’s associations, cocoa producers union etc which seek to influence government on issues concerning their members.
2. Professional Pressure Group: These are associations of professionals including medical doctors, lawyers etc
3. Occupational Pressure Group: These are formed by workers who belong to the same occupation in order to protect their occupation and interest of their member. These groups include; Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) etc.
4. Educational Pressure Group: These are student’s union, Academic Staff Union of University (A.S.S.U.) whose major aims are to seek for the improvement of the educational system and protecting the educational interest of its members.
5. Religious Pressure Group: These are pressure groups formed with the aim of pursuing their religious interest. They include the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) etc.
6. Social Pressure Group: These groups like Old Boys and Old Girls Associations, Student Unions, Youth Clubs, etc, are formed to promote the social interest and welfare of their members.
7. Ethnic/Cultural Pressure Group: It refers to the group formed to promote and protect the interests of some ethnic groups e.g. OPC, Arewa etc.
8. Anomic Pressure Groups: They are organised against some government actions and cease to exist upon achievement of their aims.

FACTORS THAT CAN AID ITS EFFECTIVE OPERATION

1. Large Size: The impact of pressure groups are usually felt when having large membership than with small membership.
2. Dedication and Unity: Pressure groups are more effective when there is a high degree of dedication and unity among its members.
3. Adequate Funds: There should be the availability of adequate funds with which to sponsor their programmes.
4. Capability of the Leadership: The effectiveness of pressure groups to a very large extent depends on the quality of its leadership. The more pragmatic and charismatic the leaders are the more effective the pressure group.
5. Attitude of Government: Attitude of the government of the day towards the activities of pressure group is very important.
6. Good Organisation/Strategy: With good organisation, the operation of pressure group can be very effective.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

1. What is pressure group? 
2.  List the types of pressure group you know. 

WEAKNESSES OR FACTORS WORKING AGAINST THE SUCCESS OF PRESSURE GROUPS

1. Weak leadership: Weak leadership renders pressure groups ineffective and makes them unable to achieve their demands.
2. Poor organisation: A poorly organised pressure group will be a non achiever.
3. Illiteracy: Illiteracy among members of pressure groups militates against their success.
4. Lack of adequate fund: To have an effective and achievable programme, they need enough funds.
5. Lack of dedication among members: If members of the group are not dedicated, they may not achieve their set goals.
6. Inadequate political education: If leaders and members of a group are not properly educated about their rights, they cannot be effective.
7. The type of government: The type and system of government being adopted in a country determines the success of pressure groups.

TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED BY PRESSURE GROUPS (MODE OF OPERATION)

1. Dialogue: It is a formal discussion between government and pressure groups for a peaceful resolution.
2. Ultimatum: It involves setting a date beyond which a drastic action will be taken. 

Either party could be issue an ultimatum.

1. Lobbying: It means persuading influential officials to support the position of the lobbyist.
2. Demonstration: This is a protest procession along major routes to create awareness and elicit support of the people.
3. Strike: It is temporary withdrawal of services as a means to apply pressure on the government.
4. Violence: It involves violent means such as kidnapping, arson, riots, etc to force the government to comply.
5. Mass media: It involves the use of intensive media campaign through news features, and advertisements, billboards etc.
6. Open air campaign.

DISADVANTAGES OR DEMERITS OR DANGERS OF PRESSURE GROUPS

1. They are self centred: Pressure groups as selfish interest groups only seek for the interests of its members.
2. Political instability: Activities of pressure groups may bring about the downfall of a government thereby causing political instability.
3. Pressure groups encourage its members to be lawless through their confrontational activities.
4. Social disorder: Pressure groups may cause a state of anarchy and chaos in a country e.g. riot, violent demonstrations etc.
5. Their strikes, industrial actions and boycotts may seriously destabilize the economy of a country.
6. The support given to a political party by pressure group may produce a government that does not have the legitimate support of the people.
7. Pressure groups are elitist in nature because they are not organised to reach everybody in the society.
8. The use of rioting by pressure group may cause a lot of damages to government properties.
9. Pressure group may corrupt public officials by engaging in lobbying.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

1. Mention 5 techniques employed by pressure groups.
2. Mention 5 demerits of pressure groups.

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

1. Highlight 5 factors that can aid the successful operation of pressure groups.
2. State 5 factors that can work against the operation of pressure groups.
3. Give six examples of pressure groups in Nigeria.
4. What do you understand by independence of the judiciary?
5. Mention five functions of the executive as an organ of government.
6. Mention five ways by which the independence of the judiciary can be guaranteed.

READING ASSIGNMENT

Essential Government pages 75-77 

Comprehensive Government pages 69-71

WEEKEND ASSINGMENT

1. When a pressure group is made up of people of the same profession, it is called; (a) an occupational pressure group (b) an interest group (c) a religious group (d) anomic group
2. Membership of pressure groups is usually limited because they (a) promote other 

people’s interest (b) have dictatorial leaders (c) lack of membership  (d) pursue specific and narrow objectives

1. The main objectives of pressure groups is to (a) influence government policies

(b) fund election campaigns (c) form the government (d) contest election

1. The following are the techniques employed by pressure groups except (a) riot (b) prayer (c) lobbying (d) dialogue 
2. One of the following is a factor that can aid the successful operation of pressure groups (a) weak leadership (b) dedication and unity (c) political stability (d) large membership

THEORY

1. What are the factors that can aid effective operation of pressure group?
2. What are the weaknesses of pressure group?