Pipelines of Influence: the Fossil Fuels
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PIPELINES OF INFLUENCE: THE FOSSIL FUELS INDUSTRY, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND THE POLICY PLANNING NETWORK by JEFFREY ROBERT GUNN A DISSERTATION Presented to the Department of Sociology and the Graduate School of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy June 2015 DISSERTATION APPROVAL PAGE Student: Jeffrey Robert Gunn Title: Pipelines of Influence: The Fossil Fuels Industry, Climate Change, and the Policy Planning Network This dissertation has been accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the Department of Sociology by: Michael Dreiling Chairperson Kari Norgaard Core Member Ryan Light Core Member Yvonne Braun Institutional Representative and Scott L. Pratt Dean of the Graduate School Original approval signatures are on file with the University of Oregon Graduate School. Degree awarded June 2015 ii © 2015 Jeffrey Robert Gunn iii DISSERTATION ABSTRACT Jeffrey Robert Gunn Doctor of Philosophy Department of Sociology June 2015 Title: Pipelines of Influence: The Fossil Fuels Industry, Climate Change, and the Policy Planning Network This dissertation analyzes the case of organized climate change denial in the United States as a manifestation of the power of the policy planning and opinion shaping networks in the US. It uses a variety of power structure research techniques to put together a topographical study of a fossil fuels network sitting at the core of a wider conservative network which sits at the core of the policy planning and opinion shaping processes. The connections between the core fossil fuels network and wider conservative policy network are examined at length. Using climate change denial as the case allows for the study of how a distinct industry— fossil fuels—can organize a faction which can help set the ideological agenda of the wider corporate and conservative networks. A power elite theoretical approach outlined by Domhoff is used, and the conclusions that may be drawn from this case study support the usefulness of that approach. I also find that the case at hand illustrates how Domhoff’s model may be extended and augmented in light of the strategic and tactical innovations employed by those in the climate change denial iv faction. Although elites have often tried—with varying levels of success—to employ at least a veneer of populist support in formulating policy, climate change denial employs a new level of sophistication in then fossil fuels’ faction’s long-term strategic planning and investment. This faction’s ability to wrest ideological control of much of the tea party movement and bring that party’s policy aims into line with its own allowed for the addition of a powerful populist element to the climate change denial tactical repertoire. Similarly, new secrecy techniques go far beyond those used by elites in the past, reflecting a new set of needs on the part of the individuals and groups involved in the policy network and necessitating the augmentation of the existing network with specialized entities. v CURRICULUM VITAE NAME OF AUTHOR: Jeffrey Robert Gunn GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS ATTENDED: University of Oregon, Eugene, OR Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, CA DEGREES AWARDED: Doctor of Philosophy, Sociology, 2015, University of Oregon Master of Science, Sociology, 2010, University of Oregon Master of Arts, Sociology, 2005, Humboldt State University Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and History (Double), 1987, Claremont McKenna College AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Political sociology (social inequality, and social movements and countermovements) Environmental sociology PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, and Department of Environmental Studies, Whittier College, 2014 - Present, Whittier College, Whittier, CA. Adjunct Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of La Verne, 2013-14, La Verne, CA. Adjunct Faculty, Social Science Department, Lane Community College, 2009-2011, Eugene, OR. Graduate Teaching Fellow, Department of Sociology, University of Oregon, Eugene, 2006-2011. vi GRANTS, AWARDS, AND HONORS: Graduate Teaching Fellowship, Sociology, 2006 to 2011 M.A. degree “with distinction,” Humboldt State University, 2005 Finalist, Outstanding Thesis Award, Humboldt State University, 2005 PUBLICATIONS: Gunn, Jeffrey. 2007. A Sociologist’s 25-year Career at General Motors: An Interview with Hallie Kintner.”Work in Progress (Newsletter of the American Sociological Association’s Section on Organizations, Occupations, and Work), Spring: 3-4. Oliner, Samuel P., and Jeffrey Gunn. 2006. “Manifestations of Radical Evil: Structure and Social Psychology.” Humboldt Journal of Social Relations 30(1):108-143. Oliner, Samuel P., and Jeffrey Gunn. 2006. “Pitirim Sorokin’s Vision of Love and Altruism.” Pp. 455-468 in Living a Life of Value, edited by Jason Merchey. New York: VOW Publishing. Gunn, Jeffrey. 2006. Review of “Political Power and Corporate Control: The New Global Politics of Corporate Governance” by Peter Alexis and Gourevitch and James J. Shinn. Work in Progress (Newsletter of the American Sociological Association’s Section on Organizations, Occupations, and Work), Fall: 9-10. Gunn, Jeffrey R. 2004. “Four Views on After Theory.” Humboldt Journal of Social Relations 28(2):161-167. vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to thank my colleagues at the University of Oregon, especially David Dominguez, Wes Shirley, Mitch Monsour, and Jesse Lowe, and my cohort of Christina Ergas, Seth Crawford, Tim Haney, Tung-yi Kho, and Mitch Monsour. I extend great appreciation to my committee, comprised of Ryan Light, Kari Norgaard, and Yvonne Braun. Great thanks to Michael Dreiling, my chair, friend, and research partner. Most of all, I wish to thank my family. It was my sons Andreas, Elias, and Zachary, who put up with my frequent absences from family life, and especially to my wife and partner Becky, who was a great help in so many ways. And to my parents, Robert and Linda Gunn, who always encouraged me and helped in every way—I just wish they were here with me at the finish line. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 1 Elite Policy Domination ................................................................ 5 The Fossil Fuels Industry and Government Policy ........................ 8 The Fossil Fuels Industry and Climate Change Denial.................. 12 The 2009-10 Climate Change Denial Network .............................. 26 II. THIS STUDY ................................................................................ 31 Data and Methods ....................................................................... 33 Outline of Chapters ..................................................................... 41 III. THE FOSSIL FUELS NETWORK................................................... 44 The Koch Brothers ....................................................................... 50 Koch Political Activity .................................................................. 53 The 2010 Koch Meeting ............................................................... 57 2010 Koch Meeting Attendees ...................................................... 58 2010 Attendees: Fossil Fuels Industry ......................................... 60 2010 Attendees: The Upper Class ................................................ 62 2010 Attendees: Think Tanks and Policy Organization Connections ................................................................................ 64 2010 Attendees: State and Regional Organizations ....................... 65 2010 Attendees: Philanthropic Foundations ................................. 66 2010 Attendees: Media ................................................................ 70 ix Chapter Page 2010 Attendees: Other Important Coordinating and Funding Organizations .............................................................................. 74 Top Linked Attendees .................................................................. 76 IV. THE CONSERVATIVE POLICY NETWORK.................................... 95 Think Tanks ................................................................................ 96 Philanthropic Foundations........................................................... 105 The Four Sisters and the Diligent Dozen ........................ 108 Other Major Ideological Funders .................................................. 113 Policy Discussion Groups ............................................................ 116 Heartland Meetings...................................................................... 124 The Upper Class .......................................................................... 127 Fossil Fuels Industry ................................................................... 129 Conservative Ideology Brokers ..................................................... 130 Climate Denial Network ............................................................... 137 State Policy Network .................................................................... 141 American Legislative Exchange Council ....................................... 149 Cascade Policy Institute ............................................................... 155 Big Tobacco ................................................................................. 160 V. EXTENDING THE POLICY NETWORK ..........................................