Debate 4 - Social Policy Flashcards
What is the definiton of Social problem and give an example
Worsley: Social behaviour that causes public friction and/ or private misery and calls for collective action to solve it
eg increase in crime rates
What is the definition of Sociological problem and give an example
A feature of social life that requires an explanation, whether it is seen as a problem or not
eg use of manners, women in work
All ………. problems are ……… problems
All sociological problems are social problems
What is an example of sociologists successfully influencing social policy
Sociology department of Oxford: Influencing on social intergration stratergy - Action plan published 2019 set to rebuild more integrated communities including more community initiatives, youth programmes to equip skills of leaders to tack youth unemployment
What is the Post modernist view of social policy
Impossible to disocver objective truth - all knowledge is a ‘meta-narrative’ and is no more impottant than another
Sociological findings cannot provide satisfactory basis of policy making
Soicologistss can only take the role of ‘interpreters’ - offering one view of society - opposed to law makers
What are the 8 reasons why the government may not implement soicological findings
Electoral popularity
Critical sociology
Clash of ideologies
Interest groups and Lobbying
Globalisation
Funding bodies
Finanical contraints
Other influences
What is ‘Electoral popularity’ as a reason for why the government may not implement sociological findings
If it lacks popularity with the public voters, they are not going to implement it
What is ‘Critical sociology’ as a reason for why the government may not implement sociological findings
If it is too radical, impractical or critical of state
eg marxists suggestion to abolish capitalism
What is ‘Clash of ideologies’ as a reason for why the government may not implement sociological findings (including evaluation)
If sociologists recommendation does not align with governments ideas and values
Social democratic increase social spending vs right wing ‘laissez faire’ attitude
E: Social media: government does not agree with suggestions, may be pressured by public if they support it
What is ‘Interest groups and Lobbying’ as a reason for why the government may not implement sociological findings
If the recommendations goess against the interest of a pressure group
Businesses may succeed in persuading government to lower taxes
What is ‘Globalisation’ as a reason for why the government may not implement sociological findings
If it goes against international laws
IMF - funding loans to other countries in exchange for structural adjustment programmes in the country
What is ‘Funding bodies’ as a reason for why the government may not implement sociological findings
Government often fund sociological research, researcher may be required to sign agreement for government to block publication and prevent findings to be implemented
Sociologist influence policy, may tone down their recommendations to align with funding body
What is ‘Financial constraints’ as a reason for why the government may not implement sociological findings
Suggestions are too expensive or other causes that have higher priority - especially in economic crisis
Eg The Black Report 1980 on class inequalities in health: 37 policies recommended
Initially done by New Labour but was conserv gov when done
Her gov rejected on grounds of cost and tried to restrict publication
What is ‘Other influences’ as a reason fo why the government may not implemt sociological findings
other groups have more influence on the government eg economists
How do positivists and functionalists view social policies
The state implements social policies based on what is best for everyone
Policies help society to function smoothly and efficiently
How do positivsts and functionalists view the role of sociologists
Sociologists’ role is to provide the government with objective, scientific information to discover the cause of social problems and then provide scientific solution to influence social policy
Similar to the role of a medical researcher: Investigate problems in order to provide the causes of it, then provide ‘cure’ (policy recommendations)
Piecemeal approach: Cautious and deal with one problem at a time
What is an example of the positivists and functionalists approach towards social problems
Ethnicity and education - Assimilation policies encouraged children from minority ethnic backgrounds to intergrate into mainstream British culture to raise attainment (compulsory education, British values)
How do the marxists criticise positivists and functionalist view on social policies
There policies are often defeated by structural problems such as poverty
The base of society needs changing for these policies to have any effect
What is/ should the role of social policy be according to New Right & Neoliberalism
Increase competitiom
Increase choice
Increase poeple being responsible for themselves and not relying on government
Should enforce tough law and order approach
What do NR and Neoliberlists belief the role that sociologists should take
To propose alternative policies which aim to restore individuals’ responsibility for their own actions and welfare rather than leaving it to the state
What are some examples of how NR and Neoliberalism had impact on social policy
Education Reform Act (marketisation) introducing:
Ofsted, League tables, National curriculum, Open enrolement, Formula funding
Murray - influenced gov to reduce benefits, New deal for young people
Crime: Zero tolerance policy, penal populism
How do marxists criticise NR and Neoliberalisms approach towards social problems
Only benefit the rich and powerful - places blame on the wc for situations and distracts form real problems - capitalism
How do social democratic criticise NR and Neoliberalisms approach towards social problems
This approach neglects the poorest - needs more government intevention to reduce inequality
What is/ should the role of social policy be according to Social Democratics
Redistribute wealth from rich to poor
Promote equal opportunity
Make capitalism fairer
What role should the sociologists take according to Social Deomocratics
Research inequality and make policies to improve (Townsend)
What are some examples of how Social Democrats have impacted social policy
Influenced New Labour & Coalition Education: Sure starts, Tutition loans, FSM, Education Maintenance loans
Funded The Black Report 1980 to identify inequalities in health
How do marxists criticise Social democrats and their approach towards social policy
They like how they are making the change but it is not fast enough - needs a revolution
How do NR criticise Social democrats and their approach towards social policy
Believe they are too involved and should not be giving too much money
What is the role of social policy be according to Marxists
To benefit the ruling class and maintain capitalism
To prevent a revolution and maintain a hierarchy by making social policy look like they benefit the wc
To maintain the work force for exploitation
Social problems like class inequality cannot be solved by capitalist policies
What role should the sociologists take according to Marxists
To criticise capitalists social policy and expose the way the government use policy to mask capitalism as to opposed to working for the capitalist government
What are some examples of how Marxists have impacted social policy
Jeremy Corbin (he is not a marxist) put some of the concerns of marxists on the political agenda: debates surrounding the taxation of companies to reduce wealth inequality
How do social democrats criticise marxists and their approach to social policy
Desire for revolutionary change is unrealistic, impractical and undesirable
Can have positive policy from capitalists - seen by own policies e.g sure start centres
Policies do help the poor - Benefits, Furlough
What is/ should the role of social policy according to Feminism
Radical Feminists: encourage womens subordination maintains patriarchy
Family policies tend to benefit patriarchal nuclear family - marriage sex allowance
Liberal Feminists: introduce gradual change, reduce discrimination, challenge sexist attitudes = equal opportunities
What role should the sociologist take according to Feminism
Sociologists should to qualitative methods to inform policy - only way to gain understanding of womens experiences without imposing a meaning (which occurs in quantative data)
What are some examples of how Feminism impacted social policy
Liberal Feminists: GIST and WISE, 1970 Equal Pay Act, Removing sexist imagery, Maternity Leave
Radical Feminists: Improvements in policing voilence against women, seperation in refuges for women escaping domestic voilence
How do Radical and Marxist Feminists criticise Feminism and their approach to social policy
Government csnnot deliver policies to reduce gender inequality as they do not go far enough - more radical and revolution
