Garner, Ferdinand & Lawson: Introduction to Politics 
Expanded case studies from the book
Chapter summariesGarner, Ferdinand & Lawson: Introduction to Politics
Scenario 4
You are a junior minister in the transport ministry of a liberal democratic state. Your government has received proposals for the expansion of a large airport which has already attracted protests from local residents. You live in the area yourself, and often have your sleep interrupted by overflying aircraft. You are also vaguely uneasy about the possible impact of the extra flights on climate change. But the airport already brings significant economic advantages to the country, and if the expansion does not go ahead it is certain that traffic will move to another country: there is no suitable alternative site in your own. Your government has declared itself to be open-minded on this issue; it will be swayed by the quality of the arguments on both sides.
You are being kept awake by noisy planes on the night before a visit from two deputations, from supporters and opponents of the airport expansion. You have to give a press conference after the meetings, and you will have to give a broad indication of the government's attitude to the proposal. On the basis of the information already given, what considerations might be running through your head?
Helpful hints: Take a careful look at the information given, and details that have been withheld. A reading of pages 146-50 might be useful for those who want to know more about the environmental issues at stake.
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