IRON TRIANGLE

The Iron Triangle...what is it? Why is it critical for the functioning of a Republic???Who are the "players" involved?

The Iron Triangle is the basic theory on how 3 separate groups function within our government. It is almost seen as a network between the Congressional committee, different agencies, and corresponding interest groups. Each side of this Iron Triangle supports the other two, in essence one couldn't survive without the others. The Iron Triangle is also considered as a policy-making alliance, which help implement a law and or decision. These powers are broken up into three parts in order to prevent tyranny within our government, but as well as to provide more discussion when it comes to making important decisions in congress. Congress, who is in charge of appropriating funds, gives money to an agency and in return receives campaign money and endorsements from the special interest groups. When the interest groups give money and endorsements to the Congressional committees and in turn get special services from the agency to which they are affiliated to. When the agency gives special services to the interest groups they then receive money from the Congressional committee.
For example if we were dealing with agriculture the Congressional committee would provide subsidies to the Department of Agriculture for whatever they need the funds for and in return the interest groups would give their endorsement and money to Congress to help support the cause as well. When the interest groups give money to congress they they in turn receive special services from the agency. And when these special services are given the agencies in turn receive funds from Congress. All this truly is a circle of giving and receiving.
The Iron Triangle is very important for a functioning Republic because by dispersing the powers among 3 groups it limits the chance of corruption within the Government. With corruption nothing would get done in a timely manner. These groups are the ones that make sure that what congress decides upon is being implemented. This also provides more efficient decision making, where we don't have someone specialized in health working on a fund for agriculture. Just like everything in our government they provide us with checks and balances in order that one group doesn't gain more power over the other.