What is meant by an iron triangle?

An iron triangle refers to the stable, mutually beneficial relationship among three entities: a government agency, a legislative committee or subcommittee, and interest groups or lobbyists. This relationship often results in the creation and maintenance of policies that benefit all three parties, typically at the expense of broader public interest. The term is commonly used in political science to illustrate how these alliances can lead to the entrenchment of specific interests within the policymaking process.