Describe what is meant by the term “iron triangle”. Explain the symbiotic relationship of actors in an iron triangle. Use the following actors: the Defense Department (agency), defense contractors (interest groups), and the Armed Services Committee (congressional committee).

What will be an ideal response?

The term iron triangle refers to the (cozy) relationships that develop across institutional lines within government. The underlying phenomenon of this term is that government rarely acts as a unified institution making integrated policy choices but tends to endorse the decisions made by portions of the government. Defense contractors need the Defense Department to deliver services to its members and to provide a friendly point of access to government; defense contractors also need the Armed Services Committee as a point of access and as an internal advocate in Congress. The Defense Department needs defense contractors to mobilize political support for its programs among the affected clientele. The department also needs support for budget funding from the Armed Services Committee. And the Armed Services Committee needs defense contractors to mobilize votes for its members and to explain to group members how and why they are doing a good job in Congress. The committee needs support from the Department of Defense in policy suggestion and providing services to members’ constituents.