Factors Affecting The Influence Of Sociology On Social Policy

Question 1

Electoral popularity

Answer 1

Research findings may be unpopular with the voters so governments may decide not to follow these recommendations e.g. Stephen Lawrence case brought about the Macpherson report

Question 2

Ideological/ Policy Preferences

Answer 2

If a researcher’s values are in line with the government’s, it is more likely to have a chance at influencing policy

EXAMPLE: The New Right influenced Conservative gov in the 1970s and 1980s

Question 3

Cost/funding

Answer 3

Governments may not have the budget to implement a sociologist’s recommendations

Whoever is funding the research may influence the recommendations and findings

Question 4

Globalisation

Answer 4

International organisations may influence social policy

EXAMPLE: IMF forces poorer countries to adopt educations fees as a condition for aid despite this making development less likely

Question 5

Critical sociology

Answer 5

Some sociologists like Marxists are critical of the state so they are unlikely to influence social policy