The term "iron triangleLinks to an external site." is a term used to describe the dynamics of policy-making between special interest groups, Congress and governmental agencies. The interrelationship between these three factions can create a self-sufficient (and sometimes corrupt) sub governmental situation in which American citizens' best interests are ignored in favor of receiving special favors and regulation changes for passing particular legislation.
Other times, special interest groups (SIGs) like the National Rifle Association (NRA) will lobby to have meaningful laws passed that protect a certain group of people. Let's take a look at the good and the bad with the following iron triangle examples.
The Iron Triangle: Special Interest Groups
Special interest groupsLinks to an external site. are a key element in the iron triangle because they can create a governmental situation in which their lobbyists have an undue influence on government. Here are some examples:
The Sierra ClubLinks to an external site. aims to protect the wild places of the earth. Its members consider it their mission to promote the responsible use of the earth's resourcesLinks to an external site.. As such, the Sierra Club lobbies to have its goals met, including passing Cap and Trade to fight global warming. Government agencies and Congress may choose to respond to the needs of the Sierra Club, even if it puts them at odds with voters on key issues such as the Keystone PipelineLinks to an external site..
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)Links to an external site. is a special interest group whose mission is to empower people as they age. They've been known to lobby against any cuts or changes to Social Security or Medicare. Even if it would be in the best long-term interest of the public for these programs to be reformed so they are more sustainable, politicians may listen to the appeals presented by the AARP.
The Christian Coalition of AmericaLinks to an external site. is a political organization that seeks to strengthen the values of Christian families. They spend a lot of their time lobbying for laws that restrict abortion, for instance. This becomes an iron triangle situation if these laws are passed, even if much of the public would prefer fewer restrictions.
Now that we've covered some important topics such as religious and racial special interest groups, let's take a look at the wide variety of special interest groups that exist to protect the livesLinks to an external site. of people all across the nation.
American Civil Liberties Union
American Israel Public Affairs Committee
Americans for Democratic Action
The Aggressive Progressives
Amnesty International USA
Common Cause
The Concord Coalition
Democratic Leadership Council
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Families USA
Family Research Council
The Federalist Society
Feminist Majority Foundation
Greenpeace USA
Human Rights Campaign
The Interfaith Alliance
The John Birch Society
Latino Vote
The Militia Watchdog
National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League
National Committee for an Effective Congress
National Organization for Women
National Republican Congressional Committee
National Republican Senatorial Committee
National Right to Life Committee
People for the American Way
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
The Right Side of the Web
Southern Poverty Law Center
Veterans of Foreign Wars
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Congress
Another corner of the iron triangle is CongressLinks to an external site.. Congress exchanges "friendly legislation" to interest groups as well as bureaucrats and governmental agencies in order to gain their support in elections. As a result:
Bureaucrats and agencies receive less oversight and gain the ability to more freely execute policy.
Special interest groups, bureaucrats and agencies receive special favors and lowered regulation.
Individuals within Congress often forge these alliances with special interest groups and bureaucrats as a source of information. They select the groups they align with based on the subject matter discussed in their assigned committees.
For example, a congressperson from the Midwest who is a member of the Agriculture Committee in the House of Representatives may rely on a lobbyist from the ethanol industry to provide industry stats and facts about the benefits of using corn for ethanol productionLinks to an external site.. As long as the congressperson works towards policies that are beneficial to ethanol production, the lobbyist may, in turn, be very influential in promoting the congressperson as an ally to the corn farmers. This could raise the congressperson's chances of reelection.
Committees in the House of Representatives
Congress contains two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Every state in the U.S. has at least one house representative and two senators. These members work together (or in opposition to one another) to create, enforce, and interpret our laws.
Joint committees involve members from both houses of Congress. Typically, they have narrow jurisdictions and alternate chairmanship between each house.
Joint Economic Committee
Joint Committee on the Library
Joint Committee on Printing
Joint Committee on Taxation
Bureaucracies and Government Agencies
The third corner of the iron triangle are the government bureaucracies and agencies that function as the implementation arm of policies and procedures passed by Congress. Congress is their key source of funding. This synergistic effect can lead to decisions being implemented that may be in favor of Congress or the agency, but not in the best interests of the citizens.
For example, Amtrak can convince Congress to reduce some of the regulations on train safety as a way to cut costs, even though the changes could be detrimental to the future safety of the train riders. While it's impossible to list every department agencyLinks to an external site., here's a healthy list to help you get started:
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau
American Battle Monuments Commission
AmeriCorps
Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corporation)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Antitrust Division
Appalachian Regional Commission
Architect of the Capitol
Arctic Research Commission
Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
Bureau of Industry and Security
Bureau of International Labor Affairs
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Bureau of Prisons
Bureau of Reclamation
Bureau of the Census
Bureau of the Public Debt
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO)
Farm Credit Administration
Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation
Farm Service Agency
Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
Merit Systems Protection Board
Migratory Bird Conservation Commission
Military Postal Service Agency
Millennium Challenge Corporation
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Minority Business Development Agency
Mint
National Archives and Records Administration (Archives)
Radio Free Asia (RFA)
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)
Regulatory Information Service Center
Research and Innovative Technology Administration
Risk Management Agency
Rural Business and Cooperative Programs
Rural Development
Rural Housing Service
Rural Utilities Service
Achieving the "Right" Agenda
The iron triangle created by these three groups (special interest groups, Congress, and government bureaucracies and agencies) is strong because of their reliance on one another to achieve their own agendas. This runs the risk of de-prioritizing citizen needs in favor of political gains.