Iron triangle

Definition

The iron triangle is a term used to describe the policy-making relationship among the congressional committees, the bureaucracy (government agencies), and interest groups. This relationship is characterized by mutual dependency and reciprocal exchange of benefits, such as funding, political support, and policy formulation and enforcement.

Related terms

Congressional Committees: These are subsets of members within Congress tasked with specific duties, including the review and development of legislation related to their area of expertise.

Bureaucracy: A system of government in which most of the decision-making is done by state officials rather than elected representatives, often responsible for implementing policies.

Interest Groups: Organizations formed by individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence governmental policies in their favor