Sociology and Social Policy Flashcards
(14 cards)
1
Q
What is a social policy?
A
- A legislation implemented by the government to improve society
2
Q
What is a social problem?
A
- An issue faced by people in society
3
Q
What is a sociological problem?
A
- Sociologists decide to research after identifying a pattern
4
Q
What is the process between these three?
A
- It begins as a social problem and then becomes a sociological problem to then inform social policy
5
Q
Who does social policy focus on?
A
- Focusses on the underachieving and those who are marginalised and vulnerable such as pupil premium, introduction of free breakfast clubs, welfare state and equality act
6
Q
What are the different influences on the formation of social policy?
A
- There is no guarantee that a sociologists research would influence policy makers
1. Political popularity and whether the current government think it would be popular with voters. Eg. Leaving School Age and Knife Crime
2. Financial constraints, what will be the cheapest policy
7
Q
What does Giddens argue are the seven ways sociology can contribute to social policy?
A
- Awareness of cultural difference and different perspectives
- Providing self awareness for politicians to reflect
- Changing traditional assumptions
- Theoretical framework of how social policy should be implemented
- Providing practical professional knowledge of society and what is sociology and why should we be concerned and help
- Identify social problems, causes and solutions
- Evaluating policies of what is useful and impactful
8
Q
Sociology should be involved with social policy =
A
- It is the only responsible thing to do when studying society and then aiming to improve it
- Positivists argue you should have objective, value free data to uncover the cause of social problems and then solving them
- Liberal feminists argue we need sociologists to research inequalities to formulate policy recommendations and changing law to improve the position of women
- Social policy must take proper account of empirical sociological research
- It is necessary to get involved to reduce the risk of social policy becoming even more vulnerable to manipulation and powerful groups
9
Q
Sociology should not be involved with social policy =
A
- The funders may be bias and do not have value freedom
- Problems in objectivity and may be at risk of being reduced to a political arm of the government
- It is not value free as any success would be imposing sociologists view of reality on others
- Sociology should not be involved in politics
- Marxists would say it should be separate as it enhances the power of those already in control
10
Q
What is the post-modern view of sociology and social policy?
A
- Sociology should not influence policy and reject the idea that society should progress towards a future society as this is modernist
- Lyotard argues policies justify meta-narratives which are oppressive
- Policy claiming to be scientific fact is to shut down opposition due to people not being able to question scientific facts and therefore is a way of dictatorship and oppression
11
Q
What do functionalists believe about social policy?
A
- Durkheim argues the purpose of sociology is to analyse social issues and provide solutions however they believe there should be less intervention
12
Q
What do Marxists believe about social policy?
A
- They believe the state maintain the status of the elites at the expense of working class
- However sociology should change society
13
Q
What do Feminists believe about social policy?
A
- Radical feminists argue social policies serve to reinforce traditional gender roles and patriarchal interest
- Liberal feminists argue they should use existing structures to make positive change for women. Some policies have changed women’s life for the better such as the Equal Pay Act, Sexual Discrimination Act, Divorce Reform Act
14
Q
What does the New Right believe about social policy?
A
- State intervention should be minimal
- They have influenced multiple policies such as marketisation and reducing welfare benefits
