A Public Choice Theory Analysis of Airport Location Selection in Matsu

• Main Authors: Teng-chieh Chang, 張登傑
• Other Authors: 江瑞祥
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/10987484896843038865

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 政治學研究所 === 100 === This study applies the theoretical implications of public choice theory by using in-depth interview methods to analyze the decision-making for the location of Matsu Airport and examines the interaction of structural factors and actors in the political development process. This thesis will analyze the construction progress of Matsu''s airports in three sections. The first section of this study focuses on the choice of location for Matsu’s first civilian airport, which was built between 1988 and 1994. The second part examines whether it was necessary to add an extension to Beigan Airport or to build a new airport in Nangan after the completion of Beigan Airport, which was constructed between 1994 to 2003. The third part discusses the completion of the construction of Nangan Airport in 2003 and the co-existence of two airports in Matsu. Finally, the research analyzes the controversial question of whether to close one of Matsu''s airports. The empirical findings of this study, based on numerous interviews, suggest that from an efficiency point of view, Matsu''s airport policy demonstrates the phenomenon of government failure. Matsu''s Nangan Airport and Beigan Airport are separated by a distance of only 3 kilometers. Several factors lead to this policy failure. First, policy and administration influence one another; politics is a key feature of the public policy process. Second, elections are an important factor which influences market orientation in public policy. Third, “government failure” is unavoidable because some values are more important than efficiency. Fourth, some public construction decisions are based on specific environmental issues which are difficult to modify quickly due to economic and political reasons. As the Matsu airport construction process is a “rational inefficiency” influenced by politics, this thesis attempts to predict whether a plan to enlarge or abolish Matsu Airport will continue to be influenced by politics. It is difficult to envision a rational airport plan in the future. It is likely that in 10 years the central government will not have chosen to abolish one of the two airports because it believes that efficiency is not as important as other political goals.