Social Policy Flashcards
Social policy
Packages of plans and actions adopted national and local government or various voluntary agencies to solve problems or achieve goals
Social problem
Something that is seen as being harmful to society in some way and needs something doing to sort it out
Sociological problem
Any social or theoretical issue that needs explaining
9 ways sociology contributes to social policy
- Providing awareness of cultural differences
- Providing self-awareness and understanding
- Changing assumptions
- Providing theoretical framework
- Providing practical professional knowledge
- Identifying social problems
- Providing evidence
- Identifying unintended consequences of policies
- Assessing results
Examples of where expert advice based on research evidence has been ignored by government
Davis- prostitution
Cannabis
What research is generally more favoured by governments?
Quantatitive positivist research- objective data on which governments form policies
New right perspective
Charles murray- sees aim of social policy as reducing involvement of the state in people’s lives and encouraging self-help e.g. cutting back welfare state, eliminating dependacy culture
Liberal feminist view
Regard many existing social policies as supporting patriarchy and disctiminiation against women- seek to change them through their research evidence
Study about society can take 2 forms:
- Factual
2. Theoretical
Giddens 4 reasons for studying sociology
- Understanding society
- Awareness of cultural difference
- Increase in self-knowledge
- Assessment of Government policies
Criticisms of Giddens
Governments don’t simply respond to sociological research in this way.
The black report
1980- research on class inequalities and health
Came up with 37 key recommendations e.g free school meals, improved working conditions
Published it on a bank holiday as new conservative government were reluctant
What does Stuart Hall say?
Political agenda to maintain ruling class hegemony
Positivists
Saw as science that would discover cause of social problems and provide solutions
Functionalism
Gradual reformation, piece meal approach
