Social Policy Flashcards
What is social policy?
Documents introduced by the government which seek to change society
What 5 factors affect whether a finding by a sociologist is used in social policy?
- electoral popularity
- government ideology
- pressure group influence
- cost of policy
- global community
What 5 perspectives are there regarding social policy?
- functionalist
- the new right
- marxism
- feminism
- social democrat
According to Comte and Durkheim, what is the role of social policy within society?
Government and sociologists play a key role in maintaining social order for the benefit of everyone.
According to functionalists, what approach should governments take to social policy and why?
A piecemeal approach meaning policy changes should be implemented gradually and govt should target one issue at a time
For example, adjustment of A Levels. They removed January modules first before making it a linear course
According to the New Right, what is the role of social policy?
People should be left to be as independent as possible. A nanny state has perpetuated social problems such as crime and a dependency culture
According to the New Right, what has the welfare state lead to?
perverse incentives
According to the New Right, what policies are they critical of?
- same sex marriage
- modernisation of society
According to the New Right, what is important to improve society?
Personal responsibility and marketisation of services. Has been influential over Conservative Party politics since 2010
Evaluation of the functionalist perspective on social policy?
Marxists criticise as no amount of policy would truly change society.
Evaluation of the New Right perspective on social policy?
Marketisation has led to inequality
No evidence of dependency culture
Old fashioned
According to Townsend, what is the social democratic view on social policy?
Left wing ideas. They raise concerns about the extent of poverty within the UK. Social inequality is the main cause of most social problems and therefore govt should aim to reduce this.
Examples of this, welfare state and nationalisation
The role of sociologists should be to reduce these issues
Evaluate the social democratic perspective on social policy?
Marxists disagree, for there to be more equality there needs to be the abolishment of capitalism
According to Marxists, what is the core root of social problems in society?
Unequal division of wealth and power is the biggest source of social problem within society. Many policies do not help this, the min wage
According to Marxists, what is the role of sociological researchers in policy making?
Reject the view that policy can improve society. Sociologists should instead reveal the level of exploitation that exists within society. Only when the proletariat are fully aware of their circumstances will proper change occur.
