sociology and social policy Flashcards
define social policy
the plans and actions of governments to tackle social problems
social problems
some piee of social behaviour htat cuases public friction
e.g poverty
sociological problems
is any pattern of relationships that calls for explanantion
e.g why people commit crime
factors affecting whether sociological research infuences policy - electoral popularity
Research findings may be
unpopular with voters so
governments may decide not
to follow those
recommendations.
factors affecting whether sociological research infuences policy - ideological and policy preferences of governments
If a researcher’s values or
perspectives are in line with the
Governments then it is more
likely to have a chance at
influencing policy.
For example
the New Right had
considerable influence in the
Conservative government of
the 1970s and 1980s
factors affecting whether sociological research infuences policy - cost/funding
Governments may not have
The budget to implement a
sociologists recommendations.
Whoever is funding the
research may influence the
recommendations and
findings that the study
publishes.
factors affecting whether sociological research infuences policy - globalisation
Social policy isn’t just made by
a nation in isolation.
International organisations
such as the IMF and EU may
influence social policy within
individual nations.
positivist and functionalist perspectives on social policy
Sociology is a science that should discover the cause and solutions for social problems
The state serve the interests of society as a whole and policies help society run smoothly
Sociologist’s role: provide the state with objective information that they can abse their policies on
favour ‘piecemeal social engineering’ policies - a cautious approach that tackles one specific issue at a time
positivist and functionalist perspectives on social policy Ao2 - durkehim
durkheim’s analysis led him to propose a meritocratic education system to foster the sense that society is fair and promote social cohesion
positivist and functionalist perspectives on social policy ao2 - health and housing policies
health and housing policies assist the fmaily in performing its functions more effectively
positivist and functionalist perspectives on social policy Ao3 - marxist
piecemeal approach is criticised
marxists argue educational policies are defeated by the influence of poverty in wider society
social problems such as underachievement are aspects of a wider structure of class inequality
= need to change the basic structure of society to solve specific problems
social democratic perspective on social policy
Favours a major redistribution of wealth
sociologists should reserach porblems are make policy recommendations to solve them
social democratic perspective on social policy Ao2 - townsend’s reserach
on the basis of townsend’s research on poverty - he recommended higher benefit levels and more public spending on education
social democratic perspective on social policy Ao2 - black report
the black report on Class Inequalities in Health made policy recommendations
included free school meals and improved working conditions
The Conservative Gov refused the implement the recommendations on the grounds of cost
social democratic perspective on social policy Ao3 - marxist
marxists criticise
they agree that social problems such as class inequalities are deep-rooted but reject the idea that such polciies are enough to solve the problem
in their view capitlaism is responsible and the only way social problems can be solved is by abolishing cap
the capitalist state is unlikely to introduce costly public spending policies to benefit WC so policies will fail
social democratic perspective on social policy Ao3 - postmodernism
postmodernisst criticise
its impossible to discover objective truth
all knowledge produced by research is uncertain and so sociological findings cannot provide a satisfactory basis for policy making
sociologists can only take a role of ‘interpreters’ offering one view of reality among many
marxist perspective on social policy
see society as divided by a conflict of interest - ruling capitlaist class explot the labour of the working class
The state represents the ruling class, and social policies serve the interests of capitalism
the few benefits of polices are reversed by capitlaisms tendency to go into a crisis of profitability - it puts profits before human needs
The only solution to social problems = a revolution to overthrow capitalism and create a classless society
Sociologists’ main role = to criticise capitalist policy and reveal the exploitation
marxist perspective on social policy Ao2
policies provide ideological legitimation to mask capitlaist exploitation
The welfare state gives capitalism a human face, making it appear that the system cares
marxist perspective on social policy Ao3
the marxist view is impractical and unrelaistic
Social democrats criticise them for rejecting the idea that research can help bring progressive policies within the capitalist system
feminist perspective on social policy
society is based on conflict between genders
Society is patriarchal - it benefits me at the expense of women and the state maintains women’s subordination through social policies
Radical feminists see men as the direct oppressors of women = they favour separatism
feminist perspective on social policy Ao2 - family policies
family policies assume the normal family is the nuclear
it offers benefits to married couples - this creates a self fulfilling prophecy encouraging the kind of family the state assumed the norm
= more difficult to live in any other kind of family
feminist perspective on social policy Ao2 - influence on education policy
has influenced learning materials that promote more positive images of females
feminist perspective on social policy - AO2 policy that reflects separatism
Women’s Aid Federation supports a network of services for DV, funded by the government
new right perspective on social policy
Believe the state should have minimal involvement
opposed to using welfare to dela with social problems
state intervention into areas such as fmaily life robs people of their freedom to make their own choices, undermines responsibility = greater social problems
Murray - generous welfare benefits acts as a perverse incentive that weaken the families self-reliance
They encourage the growth of a dependency culture and underclass of lone mothers, undisciplined children
= murray favours. areduction in sttae spending on welfare
The role of sociologists = propose alternative policies that should aim to restore individuals’ responsibility
