the relationship between sociology and social policy Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is social policy?
Plans and actions of government to tackle social problems e.g.-legilsation.
What is the difference between a social problem and a sociological problem?
Worsley- social problem is social behaviour that causes public friction and/or private misery e.g.- poverty. Sociological problem- behaviour we wish to make sense off.
How can sociology influence social policy?
electorate, theoretical and ideological perspective, interest groups, globalisation, cost, funding sources.
How may electorate popularity influence whether sociology influences social policy?
Govt may x want to put a policy suggested by sociological research into practice if it is unpopular w voters.
Starmer- Taking winter fuel allowance from pensioners, making means tested, goes against his theory.
Sunak- delaying climate commitments regarding petrol and diesel, supports theory, was unpopular w voters.
Why is positivists research more influential on social policy?-Theoretical and political perspectives
Statistical analysis widely used by government departments, more large scale and easy to carry out. Cost effective as well.
How has neo-liberalism/ New right influenced social policies in the UK?-Theoretical and political perspectives
influenced con and new labour, Murray- underclass developed due to welfare state, dependency culture, helpful in development of conservative and Republican part.
What was Giddens’ influence on social policy?-Theoretical and political perspectives
Able to influence social policies more than at other times, used thridway approach which is a hybrid of neo-liberalism and social democracy.
Explain why Marxist perspective has had relatively little influence on social policy?-Theoretical and political perspectives
Can be seen as too extreme to be supported by electorate or too extreme to be put into practice by ruling class had some influence on democratic socialist parties like labour.
How has different forms of feminism influenced social policy?-Theoretical and political perspectives
Liberal- advocate for gradual change and their policies get put into action. e.g.- 1970 equal pay ac, 1975 sex discrimination act
radical- criticise this, not changed patriarchal nature of society, e.g.- women still earn less than men.
How may business groups influence social policy?
May succeed in influencing more than sociologists. May persuade government not to raise minimum wage even though research says it would improve poverty.
How may pressure groups influence social policy?
may try to influence social policy in interest of particular cause through various types of collective action. e.g.- Snowdrop.
How can globalisation influence whether social policy has an influence on sociology?
social policy also made by international organizations like International monetary fund. E.g.- EU required UK to follow strict workers rights however we are x longer part of EU so don’t have to follow
WHAT GLOABL ISSUES MAY INFLUENCE UK SOCIAL POLICY AND WHY?
Global conflict- granting them to money to fight, cuts in domestic spending.
covid- spending change.
enciromental issues- climate commitements.How
can cost influence whether sociology can affect social policy?
limited by funding/ amount of money that the government may have at the time.
How can funding sources affect how sociology can influence social policy?
often work for “Think tanks”. Often associated w different political ideas. e.g.- left or right leaning. Govt likely to pay those “Think tanks” most likely to give solutions that favour their approach.
similarly, sociologists do x wanna “rock the boat” and want to continue to be influential thus may tone down findings if think they wont be accepted.
How has sociology influenced social policy, examples?
sociologists may be employed by government to test effectiveness of social policy before implemented. E.g.- EMA tested on small-scale sociologists before introduced to whole country.
How may sociology not influence social policy?
even if govt do listen to sociologists, they may x be able to implement them. Many social issues are caused by globalisation and difficult for 1 country alone to tackle them.
govts limited by financial constraint. Eliminating poverty by increasing benefits is simple but costly.
How has sociological research influenced else where?
sociological research raises public awareness of certain issues- may lead o pressure groups
charities and local councils- poverty research as example.
global influence, example- sociological research on slavery and human trafficking has influenced the UN.
