Social Policy

Question 1

Social Problem

Answer 1

An issue that matters to both policy makers and the public.

Question 2

Sociological Problem

Answer 2

Are humans influenced by society or do humans influence society (not really of immediate interest to the government or public).

Question 3

Social Policy

Answer 3

A plan to tackle a problem. A course of action that a governing body takes to influence society to their liking.
Sociologists are often called on to advise governing bodies on what policy they should put in place. Policy is important because it is involved in anything the government does and affects the lives of everyone in a country.

Question 4

Factors that affects whether or not sociological research succeeds in impacting policy

Answer 4

Electoral Popularity (Are the findings in line with what’s popular with voters?).
Ideological Preferences of Governments (Are the findings in line with the values of the government?)
Pressure Groups.
Globalisation.
Critical Sociology.
Cost.

Question 5

Electoral Popularity

Answer 5

It must be popular with the electorate (the voters) because if it is not they are unlikely to re-elect the government.

Question 6

Ideology Preferences of Governments

Answer 6

Even the best sociological research will not convince a party to go against its ideology 99 times out of 100.

Question 7

Pressure Groups

Answer 7

Pressure groups may push for their own ideology again rather than something a sociologist has researched. Especially difficult against insider groups.

Question 8

Globalisation

Answer 8

International organisations, such as the EU, may influence social policy.

Question 9

Critical Sociology

Answer 9

Research which is too critical of the state and powerful groups may be regarded as too extreme/hostile.

Question 10

Cost

Answer 10

Not sufficient government funds to implement policy.

Question 11

Marxism and Social Policy

Answer 11

State policies benefit only the ruling class and interests of Capitalism.
Ideological legitimisation - masking Capitalist exploitation (e.g. welfare state gives Capitalism a more “human face”.)
Maintain labour force e.g. NHS - keeps workers able to work.
Preventing revolution (welfare state) “buying off” opposition.
Only solution is to create a classless society.
Sociologists role is to reveal this exploitation.

Question 12

Critique of Marxist Social Policy

Answer 12

Impractical and unrealistic. Criticised for rejecting the idea that research can help bring about progressive policies.
For example, poverty researchers have at times had some positive impact on policy.

Question 13

Positivism and Functionalism on Social Policy

Answer 13

Comte and Durkheim - Sociology is a Science - can discover cause and scientific solutions to problems.
Enlightenment project - science and reason to improve society.
Positive about Social Policies - based on value consensus and to serve all.
Sociologists should provide objective, scientific information.
Favour “Piecemeal Social Engineering” cautious approach, tackling one issue at a time.

Question 14

Critique of Positivism and Functionalisms views on Social Policy

Answer 14

Marxists - Social problems such as achievement are part of a wider structural problem so focusing on smaller issues is not enough.

Question 15

Social Democratic Social Policy

Answer 15

Favours a major distribution of wealth from rich to poor.
Townsend (1979) - Sociologists should research social problems (poverty) and make recommendations to eradicate them (higher benefits/public spending).
Black Report (1980) on class inequalities - FSM, improved working conditions, housing funding (commissioned by Labour 1977 - Thatcher’s government refused to implement the report once complete).

Question 16

Critique of Social Democratic Social Policy

Answer 16

Marxists - Capitalism is ultimately the problem and the only solution is to abolish Capitalism. Rational Policies to improve inequality will fall on deaf ears.
Postmodernists - criticise attempts by Sociologists to influence policy. For them, objective truth is impossible, and all knowledge produced by research is uncertain. Sociologists ought to be interpreters rather than legislators.

Question 17

Feminist Social Policy

Answer 17

State perpetuates women’s subordination through social policies.
Feminist research has had an impact on a number of policy areas e.g. education - learning materials that promote positive images of women.
Liberal Feminist view - anti-discrimination reforms will ultimately bring about gender equality.
Radical Feminists favour separatism - led to refuges for women escaping domestic violence.

Question 18

Critique of Feminist Social Policy

Answer 18

Marxist and Radical Feminists reject the view that reformist social policies can liberate women - more far-reaching changes are needed.

Question 19

New Right Social Policy

Answer 19

State should have a minimal role in society.
Opposed to using state provision of welfare.
Charles Murray - welfare leads to “dependency culture” and growth of the “underclass” and lone mothers. “Perverse incentives”.
Critical of many existing policies -Sociologists should be proposing alternatives that focus on Individual Responsibility.