6. Social Policy(unit6) Flashcards
what is the difference between a social and sociological
problem?
Social problem: something that is seen as being harmful to society in
some way, and Worsley (1978) states it causes public friction and/or
private misery – e.g. domestic violence
Sociological problem: any social or theoretical issue that needs
explaining – e.g. how can we explain the relationship between
poverty and educational achievement?
Giddens’s 9 ways that sociology contributes to social policy :
1) Providing an awareness of cultural differences
Seeing society from different perspectives allows us to become more aware of different cultures. Thus – easier for policy makers to
tailor policies more effectively.
2) Providing self-awareness and understanding
Helps to reflect on ourselves and therefore key issues. If we can understand experiences such as racism, sex discrimination etc can
empower people to change their lives.
3) Changing assumptions
McNeil (1986) – sociological research can indirectly influence SP by being absorbed into taken-for-granted common sense assumptions. It helps us make sense of reasonable policies, but ridicule silly policies.
4) Providing a theoretical framework
Govts base their policies on a framework e.g. Thatcher had a postmodern view / also influenced by New Right
New Labour (1997-2010) influenced by Giddens.
5) Providing practical professional knowledge
Sociologists work in a range of occupations, and they provide professional inputs as social policy is formed in a range of ideas
6) Identifying social problems
Can identify social problems in order for govts to act upon their research
7) Providing the evidence
Sociologists do the surveys, collect the statistics, analyse the problems, suggests explanations etc. Policymakers can then draw on
this info to form evidence-based policies. Assurance / guidance.
8) Identifying the unintended consequences of policies
Sociological research can evaluate existing policies and draw out unintended consequences of these policies. E.g. if crime as
reduced in one area, is this because it has transferred to another?
9) Assessing the results
Sociological research can help to establish whether policies have worked, whether they’ve achieved their targets.
Electoral Popularity:
Sociological research might result in sociologists recommending a social policy that might prove to be unpopular with voters. Governments will be reluctant to introduce an unpopular social policy that might lose them an election.
Ministry of Justice’s research suggest prison cuts crime so little that
it hardly justifies the money it costs to lock up prisoners.
- Ideological preferences and biases of governments:
If a sociological researcher’s political perspective is similar to the political ideology of the government, they will stand more chance
of influencing that government’s policies.
AO2: Davies (2008) = findings of the Parliamentary Science and Technology Committee showed the government often misused or distorted scientific research to justify policy decisions that were really based on ideological or social grounds. Some examples are:
-Prostitution policies
-Cannabis policies
Interest groups:
These are pressure groups that seek to influence government policies in their own interests.
Globalisation and its impact on social policy:
For example, sociologists may recommend that UK aid to less-developed nations should be spent on free national education and health-care.
E.g. UK government often takes advice from global organisations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Cost and its impact on social policy:
Even if the government is sympathetic to the sociological research, it may not have sufficient funds (money) to turn the research into a social policy or it may have other more important spending priorities and commitments.
AO2: Coalition Government had to cut back on welfare spending in order to save money (austerity).
Public opinion and their impact on social policy :
Some sociological research may be reported by the mass media and consequently motivate public debate about a particular problem which politicians and governments feel they have to act upon by introducing new laws.
sociology should be involved in social policy research:
Comte, Durkheim and Marx all saw sociology as a means of
improving society
Identifying social problems and implementing policies is key to
improving people’s lives – if we don’t, we’re throwing away
responsibility
Liberal feminists believe social policies are a way to improve the
position of women in society – traditionally, policies have been
supporting patriarchy and discriminatory towards women
Sociologists need funding! Without saying yes to proposals, they’re
leaving themselves short…
Marsland (1994) argues that systematically empirical sociological
research is necessary, important and plays a constructive role in
policy.
He argues that policy makers ignore sociological research and
sociological researchers lack commitment to the cause. He argues it
would be better for society if sociologists got involved in evidence
based policy making.
sociology should NOT be involved in social policy research:
In some cases, sociologists may tone down their findings and policy recommendations because they want to continue to do research in the future and do not want to risk alienating their paymasters – there may be no room for open-ended thinking outside of the policy framework.
Research may actually create rather than solve social problems and then end up being completely ignored (Black Report).
There’s a risk that too close an involvement in applied research can mean that policy making – a political process - becomes the driving force of sociology. Sociology becomes a means for the government to extend its power and reach.
What then happens to the objectivity? Governments pick and choose what they implement + what they ignore (Thatcher buried the 1980 Black Report, whereas Blair implemented findings from the 1998 Acheson Report) – political bias.
Postmodernist view on whether sociology
should be involved in social policy research:
They argue that sociology SHOULD NOT be involved in social policy research, because sociology has no contribution to make to social policy-making.
They argue that sociologists only provide interpretations of the world, rather than universal truths or firm evidence on which social policy
should be based.
Any sociological evidence used in influencing social policy is just sociologists imposing their view of reality on others – and their views are no better than anyone else’s.
