Theory 6 : Social Policy Flashcards
what is social policy?
strategies, plans, actions passed by government, put in place to improve and help society
what are social problems?
a piece of behaviour that causes public friction
what are sociological problems?
issues that sociologists research and study, to understand behaviour, trends and structural issues
What are the 6 reasons why sociological research may not influence policy?
- electoral popularity - research findings may be unpopular with the electorate
- policy preferences of the government - if they stand with the research it is more likely to be supported
- interest groups - may affect research findings
- globalisation - international policies impact policy made in uk
- critical sociology - those calling for radical social change
- funding - research is watered down to save costs
What is the functionalist view of social policy?
- the state serves the interest of society as a whole, helping it run smoothly
What is the functionalist view of the researchers role in social policy?
- their role is to provide the state with objective, scientific information - quantitative - positivist
- this provides the state with objective information about their extent and explanations of their causes and cures (lots of pressure is placed on policies to solve society)
Give 4 examples of policies which benefit the whole of society?
- creation of the NHS 1948
- shared parental leave 2015
- same sex marriage 2013
- equal pay act
What is the social democratic view of social policy?
- it favours a major distribution of wealth from the rich to the poor
What does Townsend, social democratic, say about the researchers role in social policy?
- Townsend argues that sociologists should be involved in researching social problems and making policy recommendations to eradicate them
What did the black report say about class inequality in health care policy?
- made 37 far-reaching policy recommendations for reducing these deep-rooted inequalities
- these included free school meals, improved working conditions, betters benefits for disabled people
What is the marxist view of social policy?
- the state represents the ruling class and social policies serve the interest of capitalism
- provide ideological legitimation - masks exploitation by creating a caring face
- maintains the labour force for further exploitation - NHS keeps workers fit
- social policies are a means of preventing a revolution - eg welfare state created after the world war as a way of buying off working class opposition to capitalism
Why would Marxists argue that pensions are kept low?
- to keep people in employment
- they’re no longer beneficial in a capitalist society
What is the radical feminist view of social policy?
- state perpetuates women’s subordination through its policies
- policies assume that the normal family is a conventional nuclear family with a heterosexual couple and benefits to married couples reinforce these stereotypes
- favour separatism
How has feminist research impacted policy?
- improved employment and anti discrimination laws which bring about gender equality
- these policies reflect the liberal feminist view
According to liberal feminists, what other policies have brought about gender equality?
- divorce reform act
- employment protection act
- sex discrimination act
- shared parental leave
Give an example of one policy that reflects the radical feminist approach?
- Women’s aid
- reflects that women need to separate themselves from men to be from patriarchy
What is the new right view of social policy?
- state should have minimal involvement - laissez fair approach
- policy robs people of their freedom to make their own choices and undermines their sense of responsibility
- murray - welfare is a perverse incentive and weakens families self-reliance, causing dependency culture
What did the new right say about policy relating to the family?
- divorce undermines the nuclear family
- boys experience inadequate socialisation without a father
- welfare creates laziness and dependents
how have the new right influenced the conservative government ideas and policies?
the new right have influenced the conservative government when reinforcing the nuclear family eg child support act
how have the new right influenced the law and order ideas and policies?
right realism
- zero tolerance
- target hardening
- situational crime prevention
- prison building
What has the New Right’s research on social policy, been blamed for?
New right have been blamed for
- victim blamimg
- implying that people have a choice
Which early sociologists argued that sociocultural should act as a guide to social policy?
- functionalism
- positivism
How might social research be affected by sources of funding?
- if research is too expensive they may cut your funding
- payer of research (gov) dictates everything
outline and explain two views of the role of social policy?
- new right - influence conservative governments, murray - welfare dependency, divorce reform act, same sex marriage, undermine nuclear family
- radical feminism - policy reinforces the subordination of women, assumes women are the main care giver, 30 hours of free childcare is not enough for women to work, divorce reform act isn’t enough they want separatism
