AP Gov Review:

Iron Triangles
Everything You Need To Know About Iron
Triangles To Succeed In AP Gov
 The Iron-Triangle

What is it?

The relationship between Congress (especially

sub-committees), Government Agencies (Bureaucracy), and
Interest Groups

They help create policy

All three parts of the Iron-Triangle seek to protect their own

self interests
 An Example Of The
Iron-Triangle
Farm Special Interest Groups (SIGs) help elect members of Congress

Campaign contributions, endorsements, etc.

In return, Congress creates favorable legislation and oversight to special

interests

Congress funds agencies (Bureaucracy) to regulate subsidies and oversee

distribution

The Bureaucracy is favorable to the Farm Special Interest Groups, which in

turn lobby on behalf of the agency to ensure financial and political support
Additional explanation
Interest group- An interest group has a problem or issue
that they would like to see resolved with the creation of
a law . So they raise funds and gather information to
submit to a congressional committee, or they try and
elect a member of Congress supportive of their needs

Congress then gives funding and oversight power to a

bureaucratic agency who then provide favorable
regulation to the interest group that inspired the law in
the first place
Example 2

Interest group- AARP members want free wheelchairs

Its an election year, and AARP members re-elect an

older member of Congress that also happens to be a
member of the AARP

Congress then grants additional funding to the Social

Security Administration to begin a program that gives
away free wheelchairs
Example 3

Interest group- Green peace wants to establish an

additional wildlife and nature preserve in California

California Congressional members agree- pass law

Bureacratic agency: National Park Service staffs the new

preserve, maintain oversight of the project
 Positives And Negatives Of The
Iron-Triangle
Positives:

Many Special Interest Groups receive benefits from the

government

Congressional districts can get increased funding

(Pork-barrel)

Negatives:

Hyperpluralists argue appeasing too many groups leads to

gridlock
 Test Tips

Multiple-Choice

Identify ALL aspects of the Iron-Triangle

Positives and Negatives

Free Response Questions:

Ways Special Interest Groups influence policy:

Campaign Contributions
Im going to assign you a
number

You will have 3 minutes to list as many as you can find

1- Interest groups

2- Bureacratic agency

3- Congressional Committee