MT2 - Sociology and social policy Flashcards
Worsley : Social problems and sociological problems
A social problem is a piece of social behavior that causes public concern and/or private misery and calls for collective action to solve it.
How sociology influences social policy?
Providing an awareness of cultural differences
Providing self-awareness and understanding – sociology helps us understand and reflect on our own behaviour and position in society
How far sociologists influence social policy:
Ideological preferences of the government in power – if the Sociologist’s ideological background is similar to the government the recommendations are more likely to be implemented.
Cost – even if the government agrees with the findings of Sociological research, they may not have sufficient funds
Functionalism - Comte and Durkheim
Sees the state as acting in everyone’s interest by producing and implementing rational social policies for the good of all
The role of Sociologists is to provide the state with objective, scientific information on which the state can base its policies.
Social democratic perspective
Social Democratic perspective favours a major redistribution of wealth and income from the rich to the poor.
Townsend argues that Sociologists should be involved in researching social problems and making policy recommendations to eradicate them.
CRITICISMS OF SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PERSPECTIVE:
Postmodernists : Criticise Sociologists’ attempts to influence social policy because Sociologists from different perspectives will make different, often conflicting, recommendations
Marxism
Marxists argue the state represents the interests of the ruling class and all social policies are designed to benefit them. For example: The state maintains the labour force for the future through, e.g. the NHS which cures the ill so they can go back to work for the ruling class. The state helps prevent revolution by offering the working class concessions such as NHS, minimum wage and H&S laws.
CRITICISMS OF MARXISM:
Social Democrats : Criticise Marxists for rejecting the idea that Sociological research can bring about progressive policies within the existing capitalist system
Feminism
Feminists argue the society is patriarchal and the state perpetuates women’s subordination through its social policies.
Feminist Sociologists have had an impact on some social policies. For example, the learning materials used in books have been redesigned to reflect greater gender equality.
CRITICISMS OF FEMINISM:
Radical and Marxist Feminists : Reject the idea that reformist social policies can liberate women.
New Right - Murray
Argues the state should have minimal involvement in society This is because state interference robs people of their freedom to make their own choices
Argues that welfare provision can actually increase social problems because it provides incentives which increase dependency culture which leads to family breakdown, teenage pregnancy and crime.
Sociology should be involved in social policy:
- Marsland
Sociologists have taken the view that their work is identifying and explaining social problems and suggesting social policies for solving these issues. Not to do so is seen as not taking responsibility for the findings of their work.
Marsland : argues that sociologists should be fully engaged in influencing social policy because this would benefit the community
Sociology should not be involved in social policy:
Some argue that sociologists involved in applied social policy research risk the criticism of bias and lack of objectivity in their research. Funding for such research comes from the government and they will only fund research that meets with their approval.
If the link between sociological research and social policy becomes too close, there is the risk of sociology becoming just another branch of the government in its service. Therefore, it is important for sociologists to retain some professional integrity.
