Question

Which of the following is a good example of a tradeoff?

A. Groups that represent a variety of conflicting interests are all allowed to protest outside Congress and the White House
B. The government pleases environmental activists by reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park but angers ranchers by placing their cattle in danger
C. The government pleases oil companies by allowing them to drill on lands set aside for conservation but allows environmental activist groups to protest the drilling operations
D. The government pleases environmental activists by preserving public lands but also pleases ranchers by allowing them to rent public lands for grazing purposes
E. A member of Congress accepts a campaign contribution from an energy company but also agrees to meet with a citizens group concerned about energy costs

Answer 1

Option B accurately illustrates a tradeoff where the government's action favors environmental activists by bringing wolves back to Yellowstone, that concurrently poses risks to rancher's livestock.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best example of a tradeoff is option B: The government pleases environmental activists by reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park but angers ranchers by placing their cattle in danger. In this scenario, a tradeoff is clearly depicted as the government takes an action that benefits one group while consequently imposing costs or disadvantages on another.

A tradeoff involves a situation where to gain some advantage, you have to give up another. This is evident in option B, as the environmental activists' gain, which is the reintroduction of wolves and the resulting ecological benefits, comes at the expense of ranchers who now face the risk of wolves preying on their cattle. This demonstrates the essence of a tradeoff—achieving one objective while yielding contrary outcomes for another interest.