: SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL POLICY Flashcards
What is social policy?
Social policy is any action from the government to tackle ‘social problems’, such as education and health.
What are Worsley’s definitions of social problems?
Worsley describes social problems as any behaviour that causes friction to society or misery to certain groups, such as poverty or juvenile delinquency.
What are Worsley’s definitions of sociological problems?
Worsley describes sociological problems as any pattern of relationships that call for explanation, such as why some people are law abiding.
What factors affect the influence of sociological research on policy?
Factors include critical sociology, interest groups, and funding sources.
What is the Positivist + Functionalist perspective on sociology and social policy?
They argue that sociologists should provide objective knowledge and use science to improve society, believing that the state serves the interests of society as a whole.
What is a criticism of the Positivist + Functionalist perspective?
Marxists argue that social problems like underachievement are aspects of class inequality, and policies can’t work due to the influence of poverty.
What is the Social Democratic perspective on sociology and social policy?
They argue that sociologists should research social problems and recommend policies to eradicate them, favoring wealth redistribution.
What is The Black Report?
The Black Report made 37 policy recommendations for reducing class inequalities in health but was not implemented by the Conservative Government.
What are criticisms of the Social Democratic perspective?
Marxists argue that policies won’t solve problems, and Postmodernists claim it’s impossible to discover objective truth.
What is the Marxist perspective on social policy?
Marxists believe the state represents the ruling class, serving capitalism and masking exploitation, and argue for the overthrow of capitalism.
What is a criticism of the Marxist perspective?
Social democrats criticize Marxists for rejecting the idea that research can lead to progressive policies within capitalism.
What is the Feminist perspective on social policy?
Feminists argue that the state perpetuates women’s subordination through social policies and advocate for reforms to promote gender equality.
What is an example of feminist influence on policy?
Feminist research has led to educational policies that promote positive images of females.
What do radical feminists advocate?
Radical feminists view men as oppressors and favor separatism, supporting policies like refuges for women escaping domestic violence.
What is the New Right perspective on social policy?
The New Right believes in minimal state involvement in society and opposes state welfare provision.
What is a criticism of the New Right perspective?
Radical feminists argue that New Right research lacks validity and often relies on politically sympathetic think tanks.
