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.

中文翻译：

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能源转型话语中的徘徊身份：政治领袖对安大略省“我们”代词的使用，2009-2019年

本文探讨了使用通用语言作为促进能源政策转变的话语策略。基于旨在了解能源转型的政治性质（包括对转型的抵抗，国家的作用以及对正义的影响）的奖学金，我们研究了2009-2019年间安大略省能源转型的三个阶段，重点研究了方法三个连续的执政联盟使用第一个复数代词“我们”来促进能源政策取向的对比。我们对政策文件和政府新闻发布的分析证实，所有三个联盟都使用“我们”表作为战略手段来确定优先次序，规定行动方针和传播成就。但是，他们还利用“我们”形式的含糊之处掩盖了其他观点，称赞竞争对手的成就，掩盖政策选择的有害影响和差异影响。本文最后总结了与能源转型学者有关的关于权力和正义的更广泛问题。