social policy

Question 1

what are social problems? (Worsley)

Answer 1

Worsley notes a social problem is some piece of social behaviour that causes public friction and calls for collective action to solve it

Question 2

what are some examples of social policies?

Answer 2

poverty, educational underachievement, divorce and juvenile delinquency

Question 3

what are sociological problems? (Worsley)

Answer 3

Worsley notes a sociological problem is any pattern of relationships that calls for explanation which is any behaviour we wish to make sense of

Question 4

what are some examples of sociological problems?

Answer 4

something society regards as a social problem such as why some people are poor or commit crime or why people can not abide by the law

Question 5

what is electoral popularity and how does it influence policy?

Answer 5

research findings and recommendations might point to a policy that would be unpopular with voters

Question 6

what is ideological and policy preferences of governments and how does it influence policy?

Answer 6

if the research’s values or perspectives are similar to the political ideology of the government, they may stand more chance of influencing its policies

Question 7

what is interest groups and how does it influence policy?

Answer 7

pressure groups that seek to influence government policies in their own interest

Question 8

what is globalisation and how does it influence policy?

Answer 8

social policy isn’t just made by nation states in isolation
international organisations such as the European union may influence social policies of individual governments

Question 9

what is critical sociology and how does it influence policy?

Answer 9

sociologists who are critical of state and power groups (marxists) may be regarded as extreme or hostile and therefore unlikely to influence policy

Question 10

what is cost and how does it influence policy?

Answer 10

may not have sufficient funds to implement an appropriate policy based on a sociologist

Question 11

what is funding sources and how does it influence policy?

Answer 11

sociologists may tone down their findings and policy recommendations so it fits in with the paymasters’ wishes

Question 12

what is the power to define the problem? (Burden)

Answer 12

those with power are the ones who are able to define what is and what is not a problem and what should be done about it

Question 13

what do positivists and functionalists (Durkheim and Comte) believe about social policy?

Answer 13

took the view that sociology would discover both the cause and scientifically based solutions of problems
Enlightenment Project to use science and reason to improve society

Question 14

what example does Durkheim’s use for social policies?

Answer 14

his scientific analysis led him to propose a meritocratic education system which helps society run more smoothly and efficiently as it gives a sense that society is fair

Question 15

what is functionalist’s idea of ‘piecemeal social engineering’?

Answer 15

favour a cautious approach which tackles on issue at a time

Question 16

how is the ‘piecemeal social engineering’ criticised?

Answer 16

marxists argue educational policies aimed at equalising for children of different classes are often defeated by the influence of poverty

Question 17

what doe social democrats argue about social policy?

Answer 17

favours major distribution of wealth and income from the rich to poor

Question 18

what does social democrat Townsend argue about social policy?

Answer 18

argues sociologists should be more involved in researching social problems such as poverty and make specific policies to aid

Question 19

what is the Black Report in 1980? (social democratic)

Answer 19

found there were inequalities in health with difference in mortality rates across social groups where low social groups suffered from higher mortality rates
recommended focusing on government intervention (increasing childcare, improving housing and minimum working conditions)
the government did not accepts these recommendations as it was too costly and tried to restrict its publication

Question 20

how is the social democratic view criticised?

Answer 20

marxists reject the idea that the policies in the black report are enough to solve the problems

Question 21

what do marxists argue about social policy?

Answer 21

the state represents the ruling class and policies serve interests of capitalism where policies provide ideological legitimisation to mask capitalist exploitation and maintain labour force to prevent revolution

Question 22

how is marxism criticised?

Answer 22

seen as unrealistic and impractical

Question 23

what do feminists argue about social policies?

Answer 23

social policies subordinate women and assume that the ‘normal’ family is conventional nuclear family and therefore policies benefit married coupes but not cohabiting ones

Question 24

what do the New Right argue about social policies?

Answer 24

believes the state should have only minimal involvement in society, specifically of social problems

Question 25

what does new right theorist Murray argue about social policies?

Answer 25

generous welfare benefits act as ‘perverse incentives’ that weakens family’s self-reliance

Question 26

what are criticisms of the New Right?

Answer 26

accused of blaming the victim as it blames the poor for being poor