Which of these functions is performed by both political parties and pressure groups?

Step 1: Analyze the question We need a function that is shared by political parties and pressure groups. So we look for something both do, not something unique to one of them.

Step 2: Key concepts

• Political parties are organized groups that seek to win power and run the government. Their functions include interest aggregation (combining many demands into policy programmes), interest articulation (expressing the people's demands), political recruitment, and political education.
• Pressure groups (e.g., NLC, NBA, NANS, Medical Association) seek to influence government policy but do not seek to control government. They mainly articulate the interests of their members, and some also aggregate those interests.

Step 3: Test each option

• A. Interest aggregation and articulation: Both do this. Parties articulate and aggregate the demands of the citizens, and pressure groups voice and bundle the interests of their members to present to the government. ✔ This is the best answer.
• B. Source of mediation in a state: This is not a defining function of either one.
• C. Provision of specialized information: This is mostly a pressure group role (e.g., professional bodies advising government). Parties do not typically exist for this purpose.
• D. Seeking to manage the affairs of the state: This is unique to political parties. Pressure groups do not seek to govern.

Step 4: Answer The function common to both political parties and pressure groups is interest aggregation and articulation, which is option A.

Exam tip: Remember the main difference: parties seek power to govern, while pressure groups influence power without seeking it. If an option mentions "seeking to control or manage government," it belongs to parties only. Choose the function that both groups share, such as articulating interests.