Ironing Triangles for Implementation

Yet again, we see a vicious cycle within the government. This time, it’s the Iron Triangle. The concept of this triangle is that agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups all work together to establish and carry out laws that, in the end, satisfy the American people (hopefully). Interest groups are very important in not only raising funds, but also persuading congressional committees to further a cause that they believe strongly in. These interest groups practically jumpstart the law creation/implementation process. Once their pressure towards the congressional committees in a positive way, these committees provide money and establish a budget that the agencies must follow. By created the budget and allocating money, the agency is then in charge of implementing the laws. With the given amount of money they can spend, as well as an outline of the law itself, these agencies use some of their own discretion to carry out the laws in the best way possible. This administrative discretion gives these agencies the power to “fill in the blanks” of the said laws, ensuring that the gaps in the laws no longer exist. This saves the legislative branch time, for not every tiny aspect of a law is covered when it is created. The agencies step up to ensure that no loopholes are present. When the agencies carry out the laws, the interest groups, in turn, are satisfied. This process is repeated when a new interest group enters with a new issue or idea.

The Iron Triangle is important because the legislature takes so long to pass bills into laws, and once these laws are created, it only seems right that they are carried out correctly. As funds are raised and spent, and rules and regulations become implemented, it becomes more and more important that someone is watching over everything. It is also vital that a cycle continues so that a stagnant bureaucracy doesn’t occur. As each corner of the triangle continues to function, effectiveness and efficiency should continue to occur.