In response to a challenge, here are a few websites that provide information about what is called the "revolving door" between government and industry.
- SourceWatch
- OpenSecrets
- RevolvingDoor
- Public Citizen
There's more available, but these seem to do a good job of outlining actual examples of people shifting from positions in Congress, the executive branch and interest groups. The connection between interest groups and the executive branch is agency capture. We've covered this in both 2301 and 2302 when we discussed iron triangles and sub-governments. They can be useful means of overcoming the difficulties check and balances can pose for efficient policymaking, but can lead to political stagnation and also ensure that economic benefits stay contained within a small set of actors.
We'll outline some of these specific relationships in the near future.
