Iron Triangle Essay

The bureaucracy's policymaking role has often been demonstrated as what is now known as the "iron triangle". An iron triangle is a term used to describe the three way alliance among legislators, bureaucrats and interest groups to create, and uphold policies that benefit their corresponding interests; often referred to as "sub-governments", The policies that are established as well as the laws that are created and then passed, if functioning as it should, should benefit all three corners of the triangle.

In one corner, we have interests groups, which are organizations of citizens who share a common interest, and together they work to protect and to bring awareness to that specific interest by influencing the government. Interest groups have

Members of congress serve in committees and subcommittees, in which they make rulings in specific fields. Congress determines the budget and funding, and they also have the ability to establish jurisdiction of the executive agencies and regulatory commissions that work in that field.

In a third corner, we have the bureaucracy. The bureaucratic department has the ability and power to set regulations and awarded contracts in the specified field. The bureaucrats are often pressured and swayed by the same powerful interest groups. The bureaucracy also receives its funding and political assistance from the Congress members who rely on an interest groups election support. Because of the pressure that is put on to them, the bureaucracy often upholds regulations that are favorable to the industry's interests.

This "Iron Triangle" works both ways. Due to Congress's desires of having the political support of the interest groups, we most often find them passing legislation which is favorable to the interest groups. Congress also grants "oversight" to the federal agencies that are associated with the interest group(s). Interest groups receive the support of congress for programs, as well as budget requests via lobbyists, which are people who try to persuade legislation on behalf of an interest group. The bureaucracy create policy choices that will win the favor of Congress's constituency within the interest