POL 201 week 3 DQ2

. Defense Spending and the Military-Industrial Complex. Levin-Waldman (2012, pp. 

186-89) analyzes how "iron triangles" link Congress, the bureaucracy, and interest groups in self-serving 

relationships that influence policy in ways that are contrary to the public interest. In 1961, at the end of President 

Eisenhower's second term, he gave a farewell address to the nation in which he warned of the dangers of a 

"military-industrial complex." Many commentators today see the military-industrial complex as an example of an 

iron triangle that bloats the defense budget and distorts national priorities. Not everyone would accept this 

analysis, however, especially defense "hawks" in Congress, the military bureaucracies, and defense industries. 

Before writing your initial post, review the assigned resources, which can be downloaded from your online 

course. 

In your initial post of at lleast 200-250 words, briefly explain the iron triangle model of policy-making involving 

Congress, the bureaucracy, and interest groups. Analyze information about relationships among Congress, the 

military bureaucracies, and defense industries. Draw your own conclusion, and support it with facts and with 

persuasive reasoning, about the impact of these relationships on defense spending. Evaluate the accuracy of the 

iron triangle model as a basis for understanding the process of making defense spending policy.

Fully respond to all parts of the question. Write in your own words. Support your position with APA citations to 

two or more of the assigned resources required for this discussion. Please be sure that you demonstrate 

understanding of these resources, integrate them into your argument, and cite them properly. 

By Day 7, respond to at least two of your classmates' initial posts. Your peer responses each must be at least 75 

words. They must demonstrate critical thinking (e.g., ask a relevant question about your peer's post while 

explaining why your question is significant, or state a perspective that contrasts with your peer's while explaining 

or justifying your position). 

Reference: 

Levin-Waldman. (2012). American national government. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education Inc