social policy - new

Question 1

what is social policy

Answer 1

anything the govt puts into place like programmes or laws to solve social problems

Question 2

how can social policy link to sociology

Answer 2

sociology researches problems in society and what is needed - such as welfare
so govt can use these to help plan social policies and back up ideas

Question 3

who says there are four practical benefits of studying sociology for policy

Answer 3

giddens

Question 4

explain what giddens says about sociology and social policy

Answer 4

4 practical benefits of studying sociology
- awarness of social situations
- awareness of cultural differences
- assessment of effects of policies
- increase in self knowledge
form framework

Question 5

how can sociology understand social situations with an example (giddens)

Answer 5

fatual - provides facts to form a judgement or theory
- study of poverty - 1960s politicians though they had eliminated it but 80s and 90s reports showed it was a huge hidden problem

theoretical - proides explanation as to why something is happening
- understand theory on poverty and how it has been measured - led to minimum wage and tax credits

Question 6

how does sociology have awareness of cultural differences (giddens)

Answer 6

• help look at other points of views
• lack of awareness leads to prejudice and discrimination

Question 7

how does sociology understand effectiveness of policies (giddens)

Answer 7

• most govt initiatives are evidence based - ppl running project have to provide evidence there is a clear benefit
• sociology can provide this research into relevance of it

Question 8

how does sociology icnrease self knoweldge (giddens)

Answer 8

certain groups such as M/E or disabilities have benefitted from this aspect of sociology - can reflect upon life experineces and make sympathetic policies

• groups can use sociological research to empower them and ask for changes to be made

Question 9

how do marxists argue social policy cannot rely on sociology

Answer 9

sociology is too closley linked to capitalist system which is the main cause of social problems
- so it is not providing knowledge just serving interests of bourgeouise

Question 10

how do post modernists argue social policy cannot rely on sociology (name sociologist)

Answer 10

Bauman - sociology has no contribution to make
- an ordely and manageable society that exists ‘out there’ is an illusion so there is no real link. no absolute truth

• sociology is just about people seeking an understanding of personal lives with social context

Question 11

why is sociolgical research being used for social policy an ignorant assumption (4)

Answer 11

-governments only act when groups are powerfyl enough to be taken seriously (such as their vote being needed for upcoming election)
- such as elderly being catered to and not younger gen who cannot vote ! older ppl vote more than younger

• govt limited by fincance - social policy too expensive
• some policies cause too much opposition - this is why cigarettes cannot be banned since theyre popular but harmful - figured out they were harmful in 40s but they covered up research
• govt rarely make dramatic and long term changes since they are concerned with popularity and are often not in power for long. want to maintain status quo

Question 12

how can globalisation affect social policy

Answer 12

not just made by nation states in isolation but international organisations
- such as IMF (international monetary fund which requires less developed countries to introduce fees for education and healthcare as a condition for aid (even tho social scientists say this will harm development)

Question 13

what two theorists agree with social policy

Answer 13

positivists and functionalists - role is to provide state with onjective sicnetififc info

Question 14

explain the social democratic perspective

Answer 14

they favour major redistribution of wealth and income from rich to poor
- eg. townsends - sociologists should be in charge of researching social problems and making policy recommendations
- eg, he conducted research on poverty and made recommendations based on his findings for higher benefit levels and more public spending on education

Question 15

explain the black report

Answer 15

on class inequalities in health - 37 policy recommendations for reducing deep rooted inequalities
such as fsm and improved working conditions
Thatcher tried to restrict these policies being implemented on basis of cost

Question 16

explain how 2 policies serve capitalism according to marxism

Answer 16

NHS - keeps workers fit enough for work

welfare state - ideological legitimisation - makes the system look as if it cares and to buy off working class to prevent a revolution

Question 17

how do feminists view social policy

Answer 17

perpetuate womens subordination through policies
- family policies assume ‘normal’ family is hetero and a married couple to make it the norm and encourage it

Question 18

how has feminism influenced policy

Answer 18

education - learning polciies such as stem and gist

radicals have influenced it with seperatism - refuges for women escaping domestic violence - womens aid federation