topic 10: sociology and social policy

Question 1

what is social policy ?

Answer 1

is the plans and actions of governments to tackle “social problems” such as poverty and heath.

Question 2

what are sociologists interested in solving

Answer 2

social problems and much of their research produces policy proposals.

Question 3

what are social problems ?

Answer 3

• social behaviour that causes public friction and misery.
• calls for collective action
• examples poverty and divorce

Question 4

what sociological problems ?

Answer 4

• a pattern that calls for explanation.
• behaviour we wish to make sense of
• also involves behaviour that society doesn’t see as a problem e.g. law abiding people
• sociologists are invested in solving sociological problems and are employed by the government

Question 5

what are electoral popularity influence on sociological polices?

Answer 5

research findings could point to a policy that would be unpopular with voters

Question 6

what are ideological and policy preferences influence on sociological polices?

Answer 6

if the researchers perspective is similar to the political ideology of the government, they may stand more of a chance influencing the policies

Question 7

what are interest groups influence on sociological polices?

Answer 7

pressure groups seek to influence government policies for their own interest and may succeed e.g. not raising the minimum wage.

Question 8

what are globalisations influence on sociological polices?

Answer 8

international organisations such as the EU may influence social polices e.g. “structural adjustment policies” required less developed countries to introduce fees for education in return for aid

Question 9

what are critical sociology influence on sociological polices?

Answer 9

some groups such as marxists may be seen as less extreme and unlikely to influence policy.

Question 10

what are costs influence on sociological polices?

Answer 10

even if the government is sympathetic to the findings they may have insufficient funds to implement on the policy

Question 11

what are funding sources influence on sociological polices?

Answer 11

may tone down findings to fit in with their pay masters wish. similarly pay masters may employ sociologists who share their views to justify what they intend to do.

Question 12

what does power to define a problem mean?

Answer 12

any policy is the result of political decision. those with power are the ones who able to define what is and what is not problem

Question 13

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

Answer 13

they discover cause of social problems through scientific solutions, part of the enlightenment project

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Durkheim’s analysis proposed meritocracy and promoted social cohesion

Question 15

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

Answer 15

they see the state as serving the interests of society as a whole, producing social policies for the good for all

Question 16

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

Answer 16

sociologists are like medical researcher because they seek “cures”

Question 17

Briefly explain how the example of the Black Report illustrates the problems of research that conflict with government policy?

Answer 17

made 37 far reaching polices to reduce deep-rooted inequalities such as FSM and improved housing. the labour government had commissioned it, but when conservative came in power the government, refused to implement it on the grounds of costs and they restricted publishing it.

Question 18

Briefly outline the Marxist criticism of the social democratic perspective.

Answer 18

they criticise the black report for too far reaching. capitalism is the reason for inequalities. rational social

Question 19

Why do postmodernists criticise sociologists’ attempts to influence policy?

Answer 19

policies fall on deaths ears. post modernists argue all sociologists research is uncertain so cannot provide basis for policy making