In the four articles for this assignment, they all discuss the ban of “Foie Gras” in public restaurants. Foie Gras is the liver of Geese, which is force feed by farmers or breeders. Many people fine this to very inhumane and see it as animal cruelty. This is what the social problem is behind this issue. In the articles they all discuss what foie gras actually is and why its considered a problem. Also described in the articles was the opinion of Mayor Daley pertaining to this issue. "We have children getting killed by gang leaders and dope dealers. We have real issues here in this city. And we're dealing with foie gras?" said Daley. In 3 of the 4 articles this statement was published. After hearing this case, the city council decided to ban foie gras at all public restaurants and issuing a 250-500 dollar fine if foie gras was served. Potential problems with this decision are many of these restaurants will lose a lot of money and there will be a decline in the local restaurant business economy. Also, foie gras is a classic French dish where many natives of France still enjoy eating. Then two years later, the Illinois Restaurant Association issued a statement saying, “We feel that foie gras is a legal product and the ban is infringing on our owner's right to sell it," said Kenneth Sawyer, director of government relations for the association. After another hearing, the repeal was passed and foie gras can now be served at local Chicago restaurants.
A main reason for reinstating foie gras was the fact that it actually creates positive externalities. The people who feed these animals make money, the restaurants make money, and the people who enjoy this dish can still order it. Although the Humane Society would see this in a different light, with foie gras having many negative externalities, individual choice has been replaced with collective choice. Justification for this public policy is that foie gras is a Public Good. I believe that this is a public good because it...