Sociology And Social Policy Flashcards
Who influences social policy?
- pressure groups: try for particular cause through various types of collective action
- economists: successful economy=successful government
Why is positivists research more influencial?
Because of statistical analysis is widely used by gov when deciding between policies as most gov research produces range of stats info so more rep bc of big sample and indeitfying trends across society
How have new right influenced social policy?
Policies relating to crime, education and marketisation and family + welfare benefits
Gideon’s influence on social policy?
The third way- combing left and right
Marxists influence on social policy?
Little influence bc of their extreme perspectives and not in favour of conservative as argue societies run in favour of ruling class.
Feminists influence on social policy?
Radical- advocate to seperate men and women to free women from patriarchy eg highlighting dv
Liberal- advocating for equal opportunities eg equal pay act
Argument points that there’s a link between sociology and social policy
- politicians more likely take note of research believe that will give electoral advantage
- social policies said to tackle relative poverty influenced by Townsend
- background with sociology= employed by gov departments
- labour more sympathetic to sociologists, conservative not bc most are ideological centre of left
- Gideon’s book of ‘third way’ seen as manifesto for new labour as education/unemployment policies influenced bc of him
Argument points that there’s not link between social policy and sociology
- Marxists ignored bc critical of capitalist state
- even if listen still might not implement them
- some sociologists seem themselves as awareness raisers than problem solvers
- some think sociology should just be academic subject
- government limited by financial restraints
