A student argues that since powerful groups get far greater access to the government, pressure groups and social movements are of little use in popular rule. Which response is correct?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → They still play a very important role in a democracy
Option (1) They mostly serve as lobbies for the dominant classes — Incorrect. Critics do say that dominant groups carry more weight. Still, pressure groups are not reduced to lobbies of the rich, so this answer goes too far.
Option (2) Their work is taken over by parties that take up group cases — Incorrect. Parties take up some group interests, and pressure groups often form when parties do not. Pressure groups do not disappear into parties, so this does not answer the student.
Option (3) They still play a very important role in a democracy — Correct. All groups do not have the same access or the same ability to pressurise the government. This does not negate the fact that social movements and pressure groups continue to play a very important role in a democracy.
Option (4) They turn into alternative parties once denied access — Incorrect. Some groups whose interests are ignored may form an alternative party. This happens only in some cases and does not show that movements and pressure groups are of little use.
NCERT (2026-27): “3.2 Political Parties, Pressure and Interest Groups in Democratic Politics … |