The Rise and Fall of Special Interest Politics
In his farewell address to administrative officials, President Ronald Reagan warned Americans against the power of "special interests" and "iron triangles." "A triangle of institutions parts of Congress, the media and special interest groups is transforming and placing out of focus our constitutional balance," he cautioned. "Some have used the term 'iron triangle' to describe what I'm talking about," he added. Its power "derives from its permanence" and "from its ability to focus debate and overwhelming resources like campaign money and letter writing campaigns -on issues that don't command broad and intense national attention." An iron triangle of special interests, congressional subcommittees, and media hype worked to influence public policies in ways detrimental to the interests of the public at large. Because of its power, "the iron triangle has virtually shut off public debate. Special interest groups focus all their resources and members on this line or that in the budget. And Members of Congress ... with the dependence on special interest campaign financing and their fear of bucking any group that is strongly committed to a spending program, take up the banner and join the charge." We need to remember that "the strength of our nation has never been with the Washington colony but with the American people."1 It is the burden of this article that Ronald Reagan's warning was already dated at the time he gave his speech. The problem that he identified had been receding