Review “Claimsmaking” (Chapter 2 of Social Problems)
In the first half of Chapter 2 of Social Problems, Joel Best analyzes the rhetoric of social problems claims, which have a structure of
grounds, which name and define the problem, offer statistics about it and provide typifying examples
warrants, which justify why something ought to be done about the problem, and
conclusions, which specify the actions that will address the problem.
He discusses the most common types of additional grounds claims makers draw upon and the most effective warrants American claims makers rely upon. In the second half of the chapter, he describes the conditions under which claims makers compete in the social problems marketplace and analyzes how claims evolve over time in response to audiences and opposition. He also discusses how cultural resources shape the kinds of claims that claim makes can make.
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