What are the key distinctions between the logic of the iron triangle and issue networks?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The logic of the iron triangle is that policy is made outside the public eye: a tight alliance between congressional committees and subcommittees, interest groups, and federal bureaucracies makes mutually beneficial policy decisions that are outside what the American public, the entire Congress, and the president would prefer. Interest groups provide support for Congress and members of Congress and a clientele for the bureaucracy as well as information. Congress funds the bureaucracy, and the bureaucracy supports the interest that helps the reelection hopes of these congressional members. The key here is that the interests lie outside the public view and are mutually beneficial. Critics who favor the issue networks critique of iron triangles suggest that additional interests have a stake in these policy matters, so numerous interest groups voice their concerns. Further, more than just a single bureaucracy and congressional committee look into many of these policy areas. Consequently, a broader range of politics is present in issue networks than in the cozy relationship of the iron triangle.