The Influence of Sociology on Social Policy and Perspectives on Social Policy and Sociology Flashcards
what are the factors that influence whether research succeeds in influencing policy?
- ideological preferences of governments
- critical sociology - if criticise state may be seen as too extreme
- cost - even if gov is sympathetic to findings it may not have sufficient funds to implement policy
- funding sources - research may have to be toned down to fit with pay masters wishes who may employ sociologists who share their perspective so they can use findings to justify policy
sociologists ideas can become part of mainstream culture and influence the way people see social problems which can effect policies, give an example
Bowlby’s idea that young children’s relationships with their mothers are crucial for normal development became widely accepted
what did Durkheim believe about the sociologists role to do with policy?
to provide the state with objective scientific information by investigating problems to provide information for state to base policies on
what does social democrat Townsend argue sociologists should be involved in?
researching social problems and making policy recommendations, he researched poverty and made recommendations from the black report for reducing deep rooted inequalities, the labour gov had commissioned the report but wasn’t finished until Thatcher’s conservative government came into power who refused to implement recommendations and restricted its publication
what does marxists argue about social policy?
social policies serve the interests of capitalism by:
- providing ideological legitimation to mask exploitation - welfare state gives capitalism a human face
- maintains the labour force e.g. NHS
- policies like welfare state buy off working class opposition to capitalism
overall what do Marxists believe sociologists should do regarding social policy?
Capitalist state can’t solve since based on putting profit before human needs. Sociologist’s main role should be criticising capitalist social policy not to serve state, reveal exploitation underpinning capitalism and the way the ruling class use social policies to mask exploitation.
how do social democrats criticise Marxist view on policy?
criticise them for rejecting idea that sociological research can help bring about progressive polices within existing system
what do feminists argue about policy? give an example
state perpetuates women’s subordination through policies e.g. may be based on what normal family is like – conventional, heterosexual couple and children, if state assumes this and offers benefits to married couples not cohabitating ones the policy may produce self-fulfilling policy encouraging the kind of family state assumes to be normal and making it more difficult to have other kinds of family.
what effects of liberal and radical feminists had on policy?
liberal feminists have impacted policy areas in education for example learning materials promote more positive images of females.
radical feminists have had influence to do with domestic violence – their research led to establishment of women’s refuges to escape domestic violence e.g. women’s aid federation supports over 500 such services often with local and government funding.
what do the new right believe about the state and policy
state should have minimal involvement in society
state intervention undermines social responsibility leading to greater social problems.
what does Murray say in opposition to welfare interference?
generous welfare benefits and council housing for lone parents act as perverse incentives weakening families self-reliance and encouraging dependency culture – calls for reduction on welfare spending.
give an example of new right research and the policies it suggested
Breakdown Britain – report by conservative think tank – the social justice policy group proposes range of new policies aimed at family including marriage preparation and parenting classes and support from benefit system for mothers who stay at home. Role of policy should be to enable people to help themselves rather than welfare state attempting and failing to do it for them.
