Question

Political question
Explain what an iron triangle is. Who are the members of this triangle and how do they interact with each other? Who benefits from the relationships within the iron triangle? Considering what you have learned this semester, explain whether you feel this model supports the ideals of the democratic process.

Answer 1

The symbiotic relationship has its own version of the world of politics. This is called the triangle iron. The Iron Triangle is a mutually beneficial, three-way partnership between Congress, government bureaucrats, and special interest lobby groups Every group would do some action to support the other group, establishing a permanent and unbreakable connection between the three.

The Defense Committee in the House of Representatives will provide the U.S. Department of Defence with legislative support and funding, and in exchange will implement the committee's policy choices. The Department of Defense would then provide low regulation to interest groups that have legislative funding through the Committee on Defence. Finally, the interest party, which may be a defense contractor, would provide the committee members with electoral support and expect their way to the nice legislation and low oversight.

Iron triangles will impact legislation in both positive and negative ways. We have a beneficial impact on policy making, since within the triangle the administration is able to ensure that the laws enacted by Congress are efficient and realistic. Another positive impact is that interest groups have a direct say in creating laws which affect their members. Additionally, Congress should rely on independent consultants to ensure they draft legislation in a manner sufficient to accomplish the required tasks.

Iron triangles may have a detrimental influence on legislation when the relationship between committees who are meant to be watchdogs for the bureaucracy's bureaucracy and departments becomes too cozy. Therefore, interest groups may overly influence the outcome of the legislation and promote government waste or over-expenditure on projects