Climate Change Double Bind

The Republicans are expert verbal communicators. If Democratic politicians propose economic, environmental or energy policies related to climate change then the Republicans say the policies will have disastrous impacts on our economic competitiveness. If Democratic politicians believe our government can not impact climate change and that China and India will not harm their economies then the consequences of climate change will have a disastrous impact on our economy.

Republicans verbally create double bind arguments to make the Democratic politicians appear to be wrong no matter what they say or do. The way to deal with this behavior is to first become aware of when they are constructing a double bind argument and make the construct visible to them and the general public. State that the Republicans are saying that no matter what government does, government is wrong. That no matter what the Democratic politicians do, they are wrong.

Do not argue with them. Do not debate with them over details. Do not negotiate with them. Do not get mad at them. Do get angry. Do not threaten them.

Second, to make positive statements like Senator John Kerry did in his confirmation hearings when he said: “You want to do business and do it well in America, we gotta get into the energy race. … I’ll be a passionate advocate, but not based on ideology, based on fact, based on science. This $6 trillion market is worth millions of American jobs and we better go get it.” (www.politico.com)

Third, promote transformation of the dilemma to go beyond right and wrong to include other options, possibilities and opportunities. The assumptions behind the Republican dialogue are two fold. First, they assume they have the authority to decide what is right and wrong for the country. Second, they assume that loyalty to America is how to decide what is right and wrong, and any deal on climate change or global energy policy is being disloyal to America.

You have to take the verbal stick away from the Republicans. They are verbally hitting Democrats who are always wrong no matter what they say or do.  The way to deal with them is the three step process described above. Tell the public about the dilemma, make positive statements and transform the dilemma into actions with options, possibilities and opportunities.