Iron Triangle
What is an example of an Iron Triangle
The Department of Education releasing a new policy that requires a higher Reading standard in public schools
Monsanto donating money to conservative congressmen
Congress passing a new budget that expands funding for several Departments
What are interest groups?
an organization of people with shared policy goals entering the political process to achieve those goals
lobbyists
political persuaders who represent organized groups, professional lawmakers who are apart of congress
informal powers of the President
Powers claimed by presidents as necessary in order to execute the law. Examples include issuing executive orders and negotiating executive agreements.
What is a possible benefit of the Iron Triangle?
Increased cooperation can lead to more efficient policy change
Increasing the flow of political contributions makes for faster elections
why are smaller groups more effective?
-small groups have more drive/ incentive
- better structure, tighter organization
electioneering
a process of financially aiding candidates and getting support from group members
-provide testimonies
-some form PACS
judicial review
The Supreme Court’s power to review whether acts of the legislative branch, the executive branch, and state governments are consistent with the Constitution, and to strike down acts it finds unconstitutional.
What about the Iron Triangle could be considered problematic?
It doesn't include the judiciary branch
It encourages a goal of cooperating for power instead of pursuing the public good
It means corporations will be able to make higher profits
what is the difference between an interest group and a political party?
-interest groups don't care about party affiliation, and vote for candidates based on their interests
-parties try to support candidates campaigns, interest groups do not
litigation
occurs when interests groups fail in congress, the next step is going to court
executive order
A presidential order to the executive branch that carries the force of law. The Supreme Court can rule executive orders unconstitutional.
Why could iron triangles be considered fundamentally detrimental to a democratic society?
It takes power away from the common people by negating the impact they are able to wield in senate elections.
It takes power away from the Judiciary and places too much power in the hands of the Legislative Branch.
how do financial resources affect the groups?
-more more= heard more= more influence= large groups= lots of votes
going public
-making public image and finding out the public opinion
bureaucracy
An administrative group of nonelected officials charged with implementing policies created by the other branches of government.
What could average citizens do to most effectively diminish the integrity of an Iron Triangle?
Petition the President to dismiss any executive officials that demonstrate signs of corruption
Write letters to Congressmen requesting they stay away from interest groups
what are the four principle strategies that groups use to affect policy making?
-lobbying, electioneering, litigation, and going public
implied powers
Powers of the federal government not explicitly named in the Constitution that enable the federal government to carry out its enumerated powers.
gerrymandering
The act of changing the boundaries of an electoral district to favor one party over another.