Debate- The Relationship Between Sociology And Social Policy

Question 1

What is social policy?

Answer 1

The plans and actions of the government to tackle social problems
E.g legislation, guidance and support

Question 2

Difference between a social problem and sociological problem?

Answer 2

Worsley agrues that social problem is social behaviour that causes friction and loss of private misery e.g. poverty and crime
A sociological problem is any behaviour we wish to make sense of, this may or may not be a social problem

Question 3

Sociology influences social policy?

Answer 3

-Electoral popularity
-Theoretical and ideological perspective
-Interest groups
-Globalisation
-Cost
-Funding sources

Question 4

Electoral popularity- against evidence?

Answer 4

Rishi Sunak announcing a major u turn in governments climate control
Confirming the UK would pushback deadline for selling new petroleum and deisal cars and the phasing out of gas boilers
Sunak said ‘bring the country’ with us saving of pounds by delaying green pledges, listening to sociologists on social policy (desire for vote)
Going against sociologists

Question 5

Electoral population- for sociologist evidence?

Answer 5

Starmer and the winter fuel allounces scrapping universal and making it means testes dating we listen to sociologist
Don’t care about support only sociology viewa

Question 6

Theoretical and political perspectives- left wing theory’s?

Answer 6

Marxism
Social actions
Social democratic
Femenism

Question 7

Theoretical and political perspectives- right wing theories?

Answer 7

New iberalism
The new right
Functionalism

Question 8

Theoretical and political perspectives- difference between principles and reality of functionalist approach to social policy?

Answer 8

Comte and Durkheim both said to just do reaserch and then produce findings with no subjection
But both can be criticised as Compte and Durkheim tried to influence govt

Question 9

Theoretical and political perspectives- why do positivists be more influential on social policy?

Answer 9

They just study social changes and patters meaning its empirical evidence so having more of this is better

Question 10

Theoretical and political perspectives- the new right influenced social policies in the UK?

Answer 10

Introduced marketisation policies
They’ve been in charge since 2010
Cuts to welfare benefits

Question 11

Theoretical and political perspectives- Giddens influence on social policy?

Answer 11

Able to influence Tony Blair the prime ministers at the time as there views aligns (mostly middle)
Created the third way (mix of left right)

Question 12

Theoretical and political perspectives- how do Marxist have little influence over social policy?

Answer 12

They are very radical of the govt, if they influenced it would lead to communism
Influenced pressure groups and certain aspects of labour

Question 13

Theoretical and political perspectives- what do Marxists think about welfare policies?

Answer 13

They are a smoke screen, like black mail
You have to work to get pension and free schooling

Question 14

Theoretical and political perspectives- How has femenism impacted the govt?

Answer 14

Radical- barley as it has very extremist views like a baby strike and test tube baby’s without males. However has influenced domestic violence
Liberty- largely influenced equal pay act, sex discrimination, GIST and WISE, coursework and curriculum

Question 15

Interest groups- what is an economist?

Answer 15

Study the production and distribution of recourses and services. How much cab govt afford and the impact on spending

Question 16

Interest groups- how do are economist more listened to than sociologists?

Answer 16

They can help boost economy, they have overview or money and can predict how policies will affect finances

Question 17

Interest groups- how are business groups more listened to than sociologists?

Answer 17

May persuade govt not to raise minimum wage even they have reaserch to show this would reduce poverty

Question 18

Interest groups- how are pressure groups more listened to than sociologists?

Answer 18

Try to influence govt policies for there interests, dont want to be govt
More listened to as they gain media attention
E.g. F4J snowdrop, Gurkha, Stephen Lawrence pressure groups

Question 19

Globalisation- why may sociologists not be listened to?

Answer 19

Isn’t just made by national states
International organisations like the EU or the International Monetary Fund IMF
Such as the EU required employers to follow a very strict rules on workers rights and conditions, now were not in the EU the UK is no longer obliged to follow the rules

Question 20

Globalisation- what global issues will influence UK social policy?

Answer 20

Global conflict like GAZA
Covid
Environmental issues
Aging population
Migration
Global poverty

Question 21

Cost and social policy?

Answer 21

If we can’t afford it we are limited by funding

Question 22

Funding sources- who can fund us?

Answer 22

Think tanks
A Body of experts providing advice and ideas on specific political or economic problems
Adam Smith Insitute providing info on schooling in UK e.g. GCSES