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Wandering identities in energy transition discourses: Political leaders’ use of the “we” pronoun in Ontario, 2009–2019
Author(s) -
MangBenza Carelle,
Hunsberger Carol
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the canadian geographer / le géographe canadien
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.35
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1541-0064
pISSN - 0008-3658
DOI - 10.1111/cag.12610
Subject(s) - ambiguity , pronoun , plural , politics , scholarship , transition (genetics) , normalization (sociology) , energy transition , political science , energy (signal processing) , sociology , political economy , linguistics , law , social science , medicine , philosophy , biochemistry , chemistry , alternative medicine , statistics , mathematics , pathology , gene , panacea (medicine)
This paper explores the use of universalizing language as a discursive strategy to promote shifts in energy policy. Building on scholarship that seeks to understand the political nature of energy transitions, including resistance to transitions, the role of the state, and implications for justice, we examine three phases of energy transition in Ontario in the period 2009–2019, focusing on the ways that three successive ruling coalitions used the first plural pronoun “we” to promote contrasting energy policy orientations. Our analysis of policy documents and government news releases confirms that all three coalitions used the “we” form as a strategic device to define priorities, prescribe courses of action, and broadcast achievements. However, they also used the ambiguity of the “we” form to obscure alternative perspectives, claim credit for rivals’ accomplishments, and gloss over harmful and differentiated impacts of policy choices. The paper concludes by reflecting on broader questions about power and justice relevant to energy transition scholars.