sociology and social policy

Question 1

what is social policy ?

Answer 1

• refers to government plans and actions aimed at solving social problems, especially related to health, education, welfare, etc.
• Many sociologists aim to influence these policies by conducting research into social problems.

Question 2

what are social problems?

Answer 2

• According to Worsley they are issues in society that cause public concern or private misery and often require collective action.
  Examples:
  Poverty
  Crime
  Divorce
  Educational failure

Question 3

what are sociological problems ?

Answer 3

• patterns of behaviour that sociologists want to explain and are not necessarily seen as problems by society
• For example, Why some people obey the law
  Why people stay married
  Why middle-class children do well in school

Question 4

what are barriers to sociological influence on social policy ?

Answer 4

• Electoral popularity, Politicians may ignore sociological research if it suggests policies that are unpopular with voters.
• Government ideology, If the sociologist’s values match the government’s ideology, they’re more likely to have influence. However if not it means less influence
• Interest groups, Pressure groups may block policies based on sociological research if it threatens their interests.
• Globalisation, Governments are influenced by global bodies (e.g. EU, IMF) that may push policies conflicting with sociological findings
• Critical Sociology, Sociologists like Marxists, who are openly critical of the government and elites, may be ignored by policymakers
• Cost, Even if sympathetic, governments may lack funds to act on sociological proposals or may prioritise other spending areas

Question 5

what do functionalists believe about social policy ?

Answer 5

• Society is based on value consensus, not conflict.
• The state acts in the interests of all, producing rational, beneficial policies.
  Examples:
  Education policies = promote meritocracy and integration.
  Health/housing = help families perform their roles.
• They believe Sociologists are like scientific advisors to the state. Like doctors diagnosing diseases, sociologists diagnose social ills and recommend “cures” (policy solutions)
• However Marxist criticise and say Tackling problems like underachievement in isolation ignores root causes (e.g. poverty and class inequality).

Question 6

What is the social democratic perspective perspective on social policy ?

Answer 6

• Supports redistribution of wealth from rich to poor
• Believe sociologists should research social problems and recommend policy solutions.
• Sees social policies as tools to eradicate inequalities
• For example, The Black Report (1980): Proposed 37 policies to reduce health inequalities (e.g. free school meals, better housing, working conditions).
• Similiarly, Townsend (1979): Researched poverty, called for higher benefits and increased welfare spending.

Question 7

What do critics of social policies argue?

Answer 7

• Marxist, These policies don’t go far enough—only abolishing capitalism can end inequality
• Post Modernist, Reject idea of objective truth in sociology; policies based on sociological findings are uncertain and subjective

Question 8

What is Marxist perspective on social policy ?

Answer 8

• Society is divided by class conflict (bourgeoisie vs. proletariat). State and policies serve capitalist interests, not society as a whole
• Believe social policy serves 3 functions,
  1) Ideological legitimation – policies make capitalism seem caring.
  2) Maintain labour force – e.g., NHS keeps workers healthy
  3) Prevent revolution – welfare state helps appease the working class.
• Social problems can’t be solved under capitalism.
  True solution is a revolution and creation of a classless society.

Question 9

What do critics of marxist argue?

Answer 9

• Seen as impractical or too radical
• Social democrats argue that research can still bring gradual reforms.

Question 10

what is feminist perspective on social policy ?

Answer 10

• Society is based on gender conflict, not class.
  Patriarchy is built into the state and its policies.
• Social policies often reflect male-dominated norms and reinforce women’s subordination.
• For example, family policy assumes nuclear family as “normal” and privileges married couples over cohabiting or single-parent families, disadvantaging many women.
• This can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, reinforcing those norms and making alternatives harder to pursue
• Liberal Feminist believe in gradual anti discrimination reforms and they have impacted policies such as Educational materials promoting positive female images. Teacher training to avoid gender bias
• Radical Feminists see men as the direct oppressors of women, especially via the family. and they favor separatism (independence from men).
• Impact on policy: Support for women’s refuges (e.g., Women’s Aid Federation, over 500 services).

Question 11

What is new right view on social policy ?

Answer 11

• Strongly opposed to state intervention, especially in welfare.
• Believe welfare creates dependency and weakens personal responsibility.
• Argue welfare supports a ‘culture of dependency’ and promotes the growth of an underclass.
• Murray argues Welfare creates a peverse incentive, which is rewards for bad behavior and it encourages lone parenthood, absent fathers, and delinquent children.
• For example Breakdown Britain was a report published in 2007 by a Conservative Party and it covered rising concerns over family break down, crime, poor parenting
• The report claimed that British society was falling apart because the state had taken over too much responsibility (e.g. through welfare and public services),
  which caused people to lose their sense of personal responsibility, especially in families and communities.
• To “fix” this social breakdown, the report recommended: Marriage preparation classes – to strengthen family structures and parenting classes – especially for struggling families
• it reflects New Right beliefs that welfare weakens families by creating a dependency culture.
  Strong families (especially married, nuclear families) are the solution.