Sociology And Social Policy

Question 1

Functionalism and social policy

Answer 1

The state and social policy work for the good of all who make up society, laws and social policies reflect value condense and therefore contribute to social order. They prefer social policies that bring about gradual social change

Question 2

New right and social policy

Answer 2

Not keen on state interference and so think social policies should be kept to a minimum and people should be independent. 
Marsland believe that an idle criminal underclass has emerged from welfare social policies and it should be cut to encourage people to work.

Question 3

Feminism and social policy

Answer 3

State and social policy are largely patriarchal because they claim social policy mainly reinforces women’s subordination, especially in the family however some acts such as the equal pay act of 1975

Question 4

Left realists

Answer 4

Inner city crime can only be reduced by social policies that improve economic opportunities and reduce inequality.

Question 5

Labelling theory : braithwaite

Answer 5

Social policy needs to expand restorative justice schemes that focus on re integrative shaming - labelling the act rather then the person

Question 6

Marxists

Answer 6

Sate and therefore social policy work in the interests of the capitalist system and the function of social policy is to hide the exploitation by encouraging individuals to be seen as responsible for any lack of economic and therefore scape goat the poor
E.g social policy has given workers trade union protection however Marxists claim that trade unions make workers easier to control