Iron Triangle

The Iron Triangle is a concept in policy-making that describes the close relationship among three key players: government agencies, legislative committees, and interest groups. These groups work together to influence policy decisions, often prioritizing their mutual benefits over the broader public interest. For example, a government agency might collaborate with a legislative committee and a special interest group to support policies favorable to all three, sometimes leading to decisions that favor specific agendas rather than the overall good. The name "Iron Triangle" reflects how tightly these relationships can be structurally connected and resistant to change.