THEORETICAL DEBATES - Social Policy

Question 1

What areas of society is Social Policy usually focused on? HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 6 here!

Answer 1

• Family
• Education
• Crime
• Health
• Work
• Immigration

Question 2

What is Social Policy?

Answer 2

The term given to government policies, actions, or initiatives that are intended to address and improve social problems within society.

Question 3

Why can Social Policy be subjective?

Answer 3

People have different beliefs and values about what is important in and for society.

Question 4

Who can produce Social Policy? HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 6 examples here.

Answer 4

• The government/party in power
• The opposition/party not in power
• Think tanks
• Pressure groups
• Lobbyists
• Charities

Question 5

TRUE OR FALSE = Weber (a sociologist) believes that sociologists SHOULD HAVE influence over Social Policy.

Answer 5

FALSE = Weber believes that a sociologists’ job is to work out how society works, not to intervene with society and its’ policies. He believes that politicians can ask for a sociologists’ view and for their help, but that is all.

Question 6

What is Weber’s view on if Sociology should have an influence over Social Policy?

Answer 6

Weber believes that Sociologists should not purposely try and intervene with Social Policy. He believes that, whilst politicians can and may ask for a sociologist’s help, sociologists main objective should be to find our how society works, not to intervene in the way society runs! Politicians and sociologists SHOULD NOT be one in the same!

Question 7

What sociologist came up with the idea of ‘Social Problems’ and ‘Sociological Problems’?

Answer 7

Worsley!

Question 8

What is the definition of a Social Problem?

Answer 8

A Social Problem is a problem that causes harm - whether that be public or private - to society and it needs collective action from those within society to help solve it.

Question 9

Give an example of a Social Problem. HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 4 answers here!

Answer 9

Housing, Employment, Education and Crime.

Question 10

What is the definition of a Sociological Problem?

Answer 10

A Sociological Problem is a social or theoretical issue in society that needs a sociologist’s explanation. These are issues that are not desperately, pressing or important issues within society, but they are of interest to sociologists. These are features of social life that are in need of an explanation, but they are not necessarily a ‘problem’, as they do not cause public or private friction.

Question 11

Give an example of a Sociological Problem. HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 2 answers here!

Answer 11

Educational underachievement, and the improvement in girls’ achievement in schools.

Question 12

What is the phrase that links Social Problems and Sociological Problems together?

Answer 12

All SOCIAL problems are SOCIOLOGICAL problems, but not all SOCIOLOGICAL problems are SOCIAL problems!

Question 13

TRUE OR FALSE = Sociologists can tackle BOTH SOCIAL and SOCIOLOGICAL problems, whilst Politicians only handle SOCIAL problems.

Answer 13

TRUE!

Question 14

Is Worsley (a sociologist) FOR or AGAINST the debate that Sociology should influence Social Policy?

Answer 14

Against the debate!

Question 15

Explain Worsley’s view!

Answer 15

Worsley says that SOCIOLOGICAL and SOCIAL problems are different, and that there is a lack of a consensus regarding the importance of these problems. For example, is rising crime a problem as it shows disregard for the law or is it good because it shows a justice system that is ineffective?

Question 16

What are the 4 main reasons given as to why Sociology would NOT influence Social Policy?

Answer 16

• UNPOPULARITY - It may be unpopular with the government and the electorate.
• EXPENSIVE - Too expensive to change and would the benefit outweigh the expense?
• OPPORTUNITY - Is the area too difficult to fix at the current time?
• IDEOLOGY - The government’s political leaning may not support the changes that are proposed

Question 17

What are some more reasons that explains why Sociology DOES NOT have that much of an influence over Social Policy?

Answer 17

• GLOBALISATION = Organisations like WHO and the IMF influence social policy quite heavily
• METHODOLOGIES (the methods used) = For example, small-scale methods/studies may not be representative enough for society
• THINK TANKS = Sometimes the government relies more on these - and lobbyists - then they do actual sociologists
• CLASH OF IDEOLOGIES = This will be hard to avoid, as it will be impossible to please everyone; this may lead to compromises being made, but it is unlikely

Question 18

What factors limit the influence of Sociology on Social Policy? HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 6 answers here!

Answer 18

1. The government are restricted by GLOBALISATION
2. FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS
3. DIFFERENT PRIORITIES
4. Governments are SELECTIVE of what they choose to do
5. Governments are MORE INFLUENCED BY THINK TANKS than sociologists
6. Many policies meet OPPOSITION

Question 19

TRUE OR FALSE = The Government is MORE LIKELY to listen to Sociologists than the Local Authorities.

Answer 19

FALSE = A sociologist’s work is more likely to be listened to by lower forms of authority, such as the council and the local authorities, than by the actual, central government.

Question 20

What is the Functionalist Approach regarding Sociology being involved in Social Policy?

Answer 20

Durkheim says that the purpose of sociology is to be able to analyse issues and help to provide solutions (THERE SHOULD BE INTERVENTION FROM SOCIOLOGISTS ACCORDING TO EARLIER FUNCTIONALISTS).

However, later Functionalists would argue that there should be less intervention; they want a value consensus in society, but, because society is so diverse, grouping people together and pleasing everyone is too difficult for a sociologist to do (THERE SHOULD BE LESS INTERVENTION FROM SOCIOLOGISTS ACCORDING TO MORE RECENT FUNCTIONALISTS).

Question 21

What is the Marxist Approach regarding Sociology being involved in Social Policy?

Answer 21

They believe that Sociology SHOULD CHANGE society, however, they have suspicions of the role of the state in helping to maintain the status of the bourgeoisie. (BELIEVE THAT SOCIOLOGY COULD IMPACT SOCIAL POLICY, BUT ARE SUSPICIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN SUPPORTING AND FURTHERING EXPLOITATION IN SOCIETY).

Question 22

What is the Feminist Approach regarding Sociology being involved in Social Policy?

Answer 22

RADICAL FEMINISTS - They say that Social Policies serve to reinforce traditional gender role and the patriarchy. (SOCIAL POLICY OPPRESSES WOMEN)

LIBERAL FEMINISTS = They used existing structures to make positive changes for women. (IS SOCIAL POLICY NEEDED?)

Question 23

What is the New Right Approach regarding Sociology being involved in Social Policy?

Answer 23

The New Right believe that state intervention should be minimal, but the use of traditional, conservative social policies has shaped society in the following ways:

EDUCATION = Marketisation and privatisation

WELFARE = Decreased taxes (Thatcher)

(DISLIKE STATE INTERVENTION, BUT SOCIAL POLICY INCREASED CONSERVATIVE VIEWS DURING THATCHER’S REIGN)

Question 24

What is the Social Democrat Approach regarding Sociology being involved in Social Policy?

Answer 24

New Labour was heavily influenced by the ideas of Giddens (a sociologist) and the Third Way Politics view.

Question 25

Can you give any example of Sociology shaping Social Policy? HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 3 answers here!

Answer 25

• Giddens’ influence over New Labour (More information on a separate flash card)
• New Right and Thatcher’s ideologies influencing education and the welfare state (More information on a separate flash card).
• Increased funding for universities to conduct social research based upon social needs of society

Question 26

How did Giddens influence the Third Way?

Answer 26

Giddens was a guru for Blair and he helped come up with the 3rd Way (which has loads of new solutions). Giddens argued for social reform, including limiting social exclusion of certain social classes and groups through changing policies regarding work, health, education and crime.

EXTRA INFORMATION = Giddens led a unit which reported directly to Cabinet (showing the influence that Sociology had on Social Policy) - This unit worked on areas including: The Working Tax Credit, the Child Benefit increase and the Sure Start Programme.

Question 27

How did Murray/New Right influence Social Policy?

Answer 27

Charles Murray - a New Right sociologist - may have influenced policies introduced by Thatcher; Thatcher’s policies focused on marketisation of the education system and the economy, privatisation of state-owned business and for traditional family values to flourish, which are all ideas that the New Right support and preach!

Question 28

What are the 9 ways that Giddens says that Sociology contributes to Social Policy? HINT: Do not worry about remembering them all; as long as you can remember a few, that is okay!

Answer 28

1. Providing awareness of CULTURAL DIFFERENCES = This awareness is informed, rather than a hunch / a guess / a stereotype!
2. Providing SELF AWARENESS and understanding = Reflexivity / self reflection of different subgroups (disability/race)
3. Changing ASSUMPTIONS - Going against ‘common’ ideas!
4. Providing a THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK / PERSPECTIVE - New Right / Third Way ideas and principles, which underpin the work of the government.
5. Providing PRACTICAL PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE - Having experts in their field who can provide evidence.
6. Identifying SOCIAL THINKING!
7. Providing the EVIDENCE - Partaking in research, in order to get evidence to support their ideas and give them more credibility!
8. Identifying UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES - Evaluate any existing policies; any there any side effects, errors / mistakes?
9. Assessing the RESULTS - Did a policy work and what can be done to fix any mistakes / continue the work in the future?