Iron Triangle
HOW GOVERNMENT
CAN MAKE DECISIONS
Definition
Relationship in US politics between
Congress,
government bureaucracies and
interest groups which result in a
policy making system.
3 Actors Involved
Congress
An
elected body of people
vested with the responsibility
and power to make laws from a
political perspective of a state or
nation
3 Actors Involved
Government Bureaucracies
Administration
of a government
chiefly through bureaus of
departments staffed with nonelected people.
3 Actors Involved
Interest Groups
A
group of politically active
members sharing a common
interest or goal.
The Iron Triangle
CONGRESS
Interest Group
Congressional support via lobby
Low regulation/special favors
Bureaucracy
How the Triangle Works
Congress
Money to support the bureaucracy
Bureaucracy uses the $ for specific
activities in their department
Bureaucracy
Does something beneficial for an interest group whose policy goal falls under that
department
INTEREST GROUP
Appreciation and Support through the election process