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Political Argumentation in the United States: Historical and contemporary studies
David Zarefsky
[Argumentation in Context 7] 2014
► pp. 303–322

The Great Society as a rhetorical proposition

The Great Society programs of President Lyndon Johnson reflected commitment to the quality of life, the idea of affirmative action, and the government’s role as stimulant and guarantor of social change. Obstacles to adopting the programs were overcome by employing conservative themes, claiming a moral imperative to act, and distinguishing the Great Society from other programs, particularly welfare and race-based programs. This rhetorical stance secured the adoption of numerous Great Society programs even in the absence of a groundswell of public support.

Published online: 24 September 2014
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https://doi.org/10.1075/aic.7.15ch15
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