Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary 1

Term: 3^rd Term

Week: 6

Class: Senior Secondary School 1

Age: 15 years

Duration: 40 minutes of 2 periods each

Date:       

Subject:      Government

Topic:-       Pressure groups

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to

1. Define pressure groups
2. Mention and explain the types of pressure groups
3. State the characteristics of pressure groups

 INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers, demonstration, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Videos, loud speaker, textbook, pictures

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES

PERIOD 1-2

NOTE

PRESSURE GROUPS

A pressure group can be defined as an interest group which seeks to pursue its aim by influencing government to make decision that will provide favour for its members. It can also be seen as a group of people who share a common interest and they put pressure on government, in order to realize their aim.

Pressure groups do not attempt to take control of government. In other words, pressure groups attempt to influence the policies of the government through pressure or persuasion, but do not attempt to feed their own candidate for election under their table. Therefore, pressure groups are more interested in the physics of government and not in capturing government.

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), the Nigeria Chambers Of Commerce (NCC), the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), are all pressure groups.

TYPES OF PRESSURE GROUPS

1. Occupational Pressure Group: This type of pressure group is formed by people belonging to the same occupation. The main aim of this group is to improve the working conditions of their members e.g. Nigeria Union of Journalism (NUJ), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).
2. Religious Pressure Groups: These are groups that are formed to protect the interest of religious bodies e.g. Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Muslim Student Association etc.
3. Religious Pressure Groups: These are also called business pressure groups. These groups consist of business as well as trading organizations. Business pressure groups seems to influence the government and employers over matters like wages , working hours, general business/working condition. E.g. the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce (NCC), and the Nigeria Employers Constitute Assembly.
4. Promotional Pressure Groups: These groups are formed to promote certain course e.g the civil liberty organization, protects the rights of all Nigerians. They campaign for the defence of human rights and was formed to agitate for freedom of the masses .e.g. NBA gives free legal services to the less privileged in the society.
5. Social Pressure Groups: They are formed to promote the general welfare of their members. Some of these groups are Boys Scout, Girls Guide, Rotary Club, Old boys Association etc.
6. Religious Pressure Groups: This includes the Christians, Muslims, African traditional religion practitioners, etc.
7. Ethnic-oriented Pressure Groups: These groups comprise of members who are of the same racial background common ancestors and usually binded together by common language e.g. Urhobo Progressive Union, Egbe Omo Oduduwa.
8. Radical Pressure Groups: These include those that may use force if peaceful means are not available e.g. National association of Nigeria Students

Characteristics of Pressure Groups

1. The members of pressure groups share common interest for instance, the members of the Nigerian Union of Techers have a common interest which is to protect and promote the general interest and well-being of teachers.
2. They influence government decisions in order to achieve their goals or interest.
3. Their activities are usually concentrated on a narrow aspect of government. They have no intention to change or replace government but to make government perform better for the interest of all.
4. They do no aim t fielding their members in any elections or seeking positions for them in government.
5. Pressure groups do not meet the test of acceptance or rejection because their aims are not defined either for acceptance or for rejection.
6. Their formations are voluntarily, spontaneous and membership does not attract any reward.

EVALUATION:    1. Define pressure groups

2. Mention and explain the types of pressure groups
3. State four characteristics of pressure groups

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher commends the students positively