JZ blog

The Iron Triangle is a term coined by political scientists to describe the policy making alliance that involves strong unions among a congressional committee, an interest group, and a federal department or agency.  This is essentially the same as an issue network, save for one key difference: an iron network has a connotation of lasting for decades, whereas an issue network is very ephemeral in duration.  Because an iron network consists of a congressional committee, an interest group, and a federal department, one of these components compliments the other two.  Congress gives money to the agency, and the interest groups subsidize the congressman's campaign.  IN addition, the interest groups give money and endorsements to congress and get special services from the agency in return.  The end result is legislation that caters to an interest group.  Another term that accurately describes the movement throughout these three iron triangle components is the revolving door: an employment cycle in which individuals who work for government agencies that regulate interest groups eventually end up working for interest groups or businesses with the same policy concern.  

The american public harbors a ton of cynicism towards iron triangles because they feel that such networks are inherently corrupt.  Realistically, I'm sure that a great deal of corruption does take place.  American democracy is supposed to be by the entire population, with every individual having an equal say.  Iron triangles essentially defeat this dogma, because the crux of the matter is that interest groups with money are able to influence policy decision.  Ergo, people with money have more say than a plebe who only has a single vote.  This phenomenon almost  reverts back to the days when only property owners could vote, or even have a say.  Is this anti-progressive?  I see no issue with congressmen accepting subsidies from lobbyists who share similar interests with them.  If, as a congressman, you were going to endeavor to enact certain legislation, why not accept money from an interest group that feels the same way you do?  You were going to do the same things in Washington anyway.  I do have a problem when lobbyists only are subsidizing campaigns and congressmen in attempt to maximize personal profit.  

I cannot say how much influence this policy making alliance actually has in the passing of bills, but I can only imagine that it varies depending the the iron triangle and bill being passed.  For better or worse, I feel that iron triangles and lobbying are too deeply entrenched in our system of government to effectively remove.