How social changes affect policy

Define Mores

Mores are societies most valuable rules - for instance incest

Policy perception on drunk driving + example

Over time views have changed about drink driving which has lead to a change in policy. - more strict laws on drink driving

For example:

In 1925, the first law passed making drink driving an offence however, there was no legal limit to be drunk whilst driving and therefore wasn’t taken seriously.

1950 deaths had risen from 5000 to 8000

1966 there was now a rule for all cars to have seat belts

1967 introduced a alcohol limit and

1968 first breathalysers were introduced.

Policy development on immigration and racism

Demographic change: During the 1950s and 60s it was legal to discriminate against other races.

Due to the widespread discrimination in 1965 racism was banned only in public places. In 1968 it was extended to being banned in workplaces, housing and public services.

In 1976 Race Relations Act strengthened the law by covering both direct and indirect discrimination

In 2010 all racism everywhere became illegal

Policy development on cultural changes

Since the 1960s there has been a decline in prejudice towards ethnic minorities. The British survey in 1987 says that have found 39% of people that were racially prejudice, however had fallen 26% in 2017

According to a 2018 survey British Future, 66% of the over 65s said racism is much lower then in 1968

A result of changing attitudes, there has been a change in in racism and race hate as a crime, people now accept racism as a criminal offence.

Why has society changed it attitudes to race?

• This is party de to the law - people will now change their behaviours due to the law

• The British Future survey found that children of different backgrounds mixing at school and workplaces were more important than laws in improved race relations in Britain

Society changing attitudes to smoking

1930s - it was a social norm, Smoking was glamorised and even influenced by doctors.

Mid 1950s, research was published that confirmed a link between smoking and lung cancer.

1964 The surgeon general (in the USA), confirmed that there was a link between lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and cigarette smoking.

1965 - the tobacco industry was required to put warnings and adverts on their products warning the public about its risks.

2002 - banned advertising and promotion of tobacco products including the use of sponsorships of sporting events.

Health act 2006 - banned smoking in enclosed work and public spaces

Children and families act 2014 - banned smoking in a vehicle if a child was present and no tobacco for individuals under the age of 19.