Topic 10: sociology and social policy

Question 1

what are social polices

Answer 1

these are the plans and cations of governments to tackle ‘social problems’ such as poverty and health. Sociologists are interested in solving problems and much of their research produces policy proposals

Question 2

what are social problems

Answer 2

• Social behaviour that causes public friction/ misery
• calls for collective action
• examples are poverty and divorce

Question 3

what are sociological problems

Answer 3

• a pattern that calls for explanation
• behaviour we wish to make sense of
• also includes behaviour which society does not see as a problem eg law abiding people
• on the other hand, sociologists are interested in solving social problems and employed by government

Question 4

what factors may affect whether o not sociological research succeeds in influencing policy

Answer 4

• globalisation= international organisations such as the EU may influence social policies eg ‘structural adjustment polices’ required less developed countries to introduce fees for education in return for aid
• critical sociology= some groups such as marxists may be seen as too extreme and unlikely to influence policy
• cost= even if the gov is sympathetic to the findings, they have insufficient funds to implement on the policy

Question 5

According to Comte and Durkheim, what was the role of sociology in relation to social problems?

Answer 5

they took the view that sociology was a science and would discover both the cause of social problems and scientifically based solutions to them

Question 6

Give an example of a solution to a problem proposed by Durkheim

Answer 6

example of comte and Durkeheim - Durkheim’s analysis is proposed meritocracy and promoted social cohesion

Question 7

According to functionalists, what is the role of social policies and the state in society?

Answer 7

as serving the interests of society as a whole, producing social polices for the good of all

Question 8

According to functionalists and positivists, what is the sociologist’s role in relation to the state and social policy?

Answer 8

to provide the state with objective, scientific information. By investigating social problems and discovering causes, sociologists provide the necessary info on which the state can base on its policies

Question 9

How does the role of the sociologist compare to that of a medical researcher?

Answer 9

both see the role of providing the state with objective and scientific info.they both seek ‘cures’

Question 10

What types of social policy do functionalists favour?

Answer 10

prefer social policies that are sometimes referred to as ‘piecemeal social engineering’, they favour a cautious approach (tackling one specific issue at a time)

Question 11

Using an example, explain the Marxist criticism of the functionalist approach to social policy

Answer 11

marxists criticise the ‘piecemeal approach’ as ignoring the fact we need to change basic structures in society

Question 12

According to Townsend, what should the work of sociologists aim to do with regard to social policy?

Answer 12

he argues that they should research social policies and making policy recommendations to eradicate them. eg he conducted research on poverty and on the basis of his findings he made recommendations for policies such as higher benefit levels

Question 13

Briefly explain how the example of the Black Report illustrates the problems of research that conflicts with governmental policy.

Answer 13

the black report; made 37 far reaching policies to reduce deep- rooted inequalities such as FSM and improved housing. The labour Gov had commissioned it, but when conservative came into power the Gov refused to implement it on the grounds of cost and they restricted publishing it

Question 14

Briefly outline the Marxist criticism of the social democratic perspective.

Answer 14

marxists critcise the black report as too far reaching. Capitalism is the reason for inequalities. Rational social policies fall on death ears

Question 15

Why do postmodernists criticise sociologists’ attempts to influence policy?

Answer 15

post modernists argue that all sociological research is uncertain so cannot provide basis for policy making

Question 16

Briefly outline the ways in which Marxists see policies serving the interests of capitalism.

Answer 16

• policies provide ideological legitimation to mask exploitation, appears they are about the poor, sick and old
• maintain the labour force for further exploitation eg NHS make people fit enough to work
• they are means of preventing revolution eg welfare state after WW2 brought off the wc

Question 17

According to Marxists, why can social problems not be solved by social policies?

Answer 17

eventhough marxists recognise that social policies do provide real, if limited, benefits to the WC. However these gains are constantly threatened with reversal by capitalisms tendency to go into periodic crisis of profitability leading to cuts on welfare

Question 18

According to Marxists, what should be the sociologist’s role in relation to social policy?

Answer 18

main role should be to criticise capitalist social policy, not to serve the capitalist state. They must reveal the exploitation which underpins capitalism and the way in which the ruling class use social polices to mask their exploitation

Question 19

Briefly outline why the Marxist view has been criticised as impractical and unrealistic.

Answer 19

social democrats criticise them for ignoring progressive policies eg min wage

Question 20

Using an example, briefly explain how feminists see social policies as perpetuating women’s subordination.

Answer 20

eg family policies may assume that the ‘normal’ family is conventional nuclear family with a heterosexual married couple. Therefore if the state assumes this and offers benefits to married couples and not cohabitating may create a self fulfilling prophecy encouraging only the family which the state assumed as normal and not allowing diversity

Question 21

Give an example of an area where feminist research has had an impact on social policy.

Answer 21

radical feminists have influenced women’s refugees for domestic violence with funding from the Gov.

Question 22

Why do Marxist and radical feminists reject the view that reformist social policies can liberate women?

Answer 22

they call for far reaching changes that the existing state cannot deliver

Question 23

Briefly outline the New Right view of the role of the state

Answer 23

believe that the state should only have minimal involvement in society. Opposed to state provision of welfare, robs people of freedom and leads to delinquency

Question 24

Briefly explain what Murray means by ‘perverse incentives’. What does he see as the consequences of these?

Answer 24

Murray argues that these are welfare benefits. consequence of this are that they encourage the growth of dependency culture and a underclass of lone mothers with undisciplined children

Question 25

According to the New Right, what should be the role of the sociologist in relation to social policy?

Answer 25

as being to propose alternative policies which should aim to restore individuals responsibility for their welfare, rather than leaving it to the state

Question 26

Briefly outline the aims of the Breakdown Britain report.

Answer 26

new social polices aimed at the family eg marriage preparation, parenting skills

Question 27

. Give an example of a policy influenced by New Right thinking.

Answer 27

New labour regards a married couple as normally the best place to bring up children

Question 28

Give a criticism of research carried out by the New Right.

Answer 28

new right has been questioned. For example the validity of research in which Murray bases his claims on such as the link between absent fathers and delinquent children has been challenged