Schnider Peeples 2018 The Energy Covenant

Page 1: Energy Covenant and Energy Dominance

Introduction to Energy Dominance

• Concept: The Trump Administration has adopted the guiding ideology of "energy dominance," a shift from previous focus on "energy security."

• Key Figure: Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke plays a pivotal role in promoting this ideology, utilizing the term "energy covenant renewal" to emphasize its importance for conservatives.

• Covenant Renewal: This term serves as a modified jeremiad, rallying conservative identities around fossil fuel commitments and a notion of American exceptionalism.

• Target Audience: The energy dominance message aims to unify those feeling aggrieved by Obama-era policies and left-wing multiculturalism, advocating a societal return to privilege based on energy exploitation.

Context and Presentation

• Date and Venue: Zinke's critical address occurred on September 29, 2017, at the Heritage Foundation, focusing on reversing "American energy dependence."

• Media Attention: Despite controversy surrounding Zinke’s travel expenses mirroring those of resigned HHS Secretary Tom Price, the address mainly highlights policy shifts.

• Rhetorical Analysis: The analysis focuses on Zinke's address as a substantive articulation of the administration's energy policy amidst a chaotic political environment.

Page 2: Defining Energy Dominance

Complicated Nature of Zinke's Address

• Overview: Zinke's definition of "energy dominance" is complex, with abrupt shifts between domestic and foreign policy aspects.

• Critique of Energy Security: He differentiates energy dominance from pre-existing discourses like "energy independence," asserting America’s superiority in energy production against foreign manipulation.

• Policy Reversal: Zinke calls for immediate retraction of Obama-era environmental regulations, highlighting the need for a pro-energy market and linking it to national pride.

Scattered Messaging

• Public Confusion: Analysts express confusion over the term "energy dominance," critiquing the administration's unclear intentions and conflicting statements related to energy markets.

• Reality Check: The administration's rhetoric does not align with facts, such as the U.S.'s status as a major petroleum importer and the challenges in achieving true energy dominance.

Rhetorical Devices

• Emotional Appeal: Zinke evokes strong emotions by framing energy dominance as a moral imperative to overcome past grievances, targeting alienated conservatives.

• Jeremiadic Structure: The speech resonates with the jeremiad form, positioning energy dominance as a call to action for those feeling wronged by liberal policies.

Page 3: Covenant Renewal Framework

Jeremiad Versus Covenant Renewal

• Traditional Jeremiad: Represents a call for redemption, emphasizing moral failure among the chosen people, who must repent to avoid ruin.

• Covenant Renewal: A shift towards focusing on external enemies rather than internal misbehavior, aimed at revitalizing commitments among the populace.

Analysis of Zinke's Role

• Prophetic Figure: Zinke presents himself as a modern prophet, framing energy dominance as a path to restore vitality and superiority for the conservative base.

• Focused Audience: He addresses conservatives who have faced difficulties during previous administrations, invoking imagery of a grand return to prominence.

Connections to Identity Politics

• Aggrieved Narrative: The speech taps into prevailing sentiments of victimhood among conservative whites, positioning energy policies as crucial to their recovery and restoration.

Page 4: Energy Dominance Promises

Themes of Victimhood and Access

• Rhetorical Connections: Emphasizes grievances surrounding energy security while projecting energy dominance as a right for specific American groups.

• Polarization: The message predominantly resonates with conservative factions, fostering narratives of victimization amidst broader societal and demographic shifts.

Conservative Political Discourse

• Victimhood as Political Identity: Discourse emphasizes feelings of loss among the conservative base, often decoupling facts from the narratives that purport to describe this victimization.

Page 5: Zinke’s Aggressive Stance

Rapid Policy Reversals

• Actions vs. Words: Zinke has aggressively pursued policies that favor fossil fuel interests, often sidelining environmental considerations in public land management.

• Advocacy and Image: While presenting as the defender of public lands, his actions indicate a prioritization of fossil fuel development over broader environmental stewardship.

Projecting Strength and Authenticity

• Rhetorical Style: Zinke mixes military heritage with down-home appeal to project authenticity and command a loyal public following.

• Public Persona: His narrative incorporates elements of traditional masculinity and common-man imagery to solidify his role in defending energy interests.

Page 6: Linking Energy Policies to Grievance

Framing the Past

• Dealing with Regrets: Zinke’s rhetoric portrays the Obama administration as having wronged patriotic Americans, thereby justifying a comprehensive return to dominance in the energy sector.

• Constructing the Future: Energy dominance becomes a vehicle for restoring socio-economic status for those feeling disenfranchised by the socio-political changes of recent years.

Page 7: Conclusion and Implications

Continuing Challenges

• Energy Democracy vs. Energy Dominance: The emerging tension between the mandates of energy democracy and the narratives tied to energy dominance highlight fundamental political divides.

• Symbolism in Energy: Energy policies serve as more than economic vectors; they symbolize larger issues of race, class, and identity politics embedding deep historical contexts.

• Resisting the Narrative: Future analyses should explore how similar rhetoric plays out across varied contexts and where opportunities to challenge these discourses may lie.