sociology theory and methods - social policy.

AQA

What is a social policy?

Laws, regulations and guidlines set by the government to address social issues and solve social problems. e.g reducing poverty and improving achievement.

What are social problems?

• Peter Worsley - a social problem is something that is seen as harmful to society and needs collective action to fix it.

• e.g poverty, underachievement, crime may all be seen as social problems by members of society and governments are called upon to create policies to solve them.

What is the difference between a social problem and a sociological problem?

• In comparison to a social problem a sociological problem is a problem is any behaviour we wish to make sense of and it does not have to be negative.

• for example sociologists may be interested in crime but also in why people follow the law.

• some sociologists see normal behaviour as interesting so therefore not all sociologists study social problems. But some do.

What are a few ways that sociology can help us in our lives?

• Giddens suggests a few ways that sociology “can help in our lives”

  1. We have awareness of peoples needs.

  2. We can identify social problems with empirical evidence through scientific methods.

  3. Provide assessments of what works - helps with solutions.

How did Townsend find that sociology can help with creation of policy?

• Townsend is part of the social democratic perspective this is a left wing perspective that believes sociologists should be involved with researching social problems to help make policy recommendations to eradicate them.

• Studied over 2000 households in the UK researching poverty

• This research indirectly lead to the creation of The minimum wage act and working tax credits (higher benefit levels)

How does the black report show sociologys relationship with social policy?

• The black report 1980 looked at class inequalities in health and was carried out by social researchers and sociologists.

• The death rate was 2x higher for the poorest men compared to the wealthiest men.

• It made 37 policy recommendations to reduce deep rooted inequalities including free school meals for all children, improved housing and improved working conditions.

How might the black report show that there is a weak relationship between sociology and social policy?

• The government at the time did not listen to the recommendations made.

• The labour government of 1977 commissioned the report but when Margaret Thatchers conservative government came into power they refused to impliment any of the suggestions made. And they attempted to block its publication.

What sociological theories believe we have a strong relationship with policy

• Liberal feminism

• Functionalism

• New right

• Social democratic

What do functionalists believe about social policy?

• Sociology can scientifically study society and discover social problems and help to fix them to improve society overall

• See the state as benefiting individuals and society over all, producing social policies for the good of all.

• Policies should help institutions carry out their functions efficiently.

• e,g Durkhiem proposed a a meritocratic education system to create the sense society was fair, and improve social solidarity and social cohesion. Policies that promote equal opportunities. Health and housing policies that help the family to perform its function most effectively. e.g the NHS.

What did Durkheim say sociologys role is in relaiton to social policy?

• Durkheim believed sociologies role is to provide the state with scientific and objective information for the state to base their policies on.

• Tackle one issue at a time with piecemeal sociological engineering. (slow, gradual over time)

• e.g Durkheims research led him to proposing an education system based on merit and the abolition of inherited wealth, he argued this would lead to a more cohesive society)

What do liberal feminists believe about social policy?

• All feminists see society as patriarchal, but vary the degree that they believe the state maintains patriarchy through policy. e.g encouraging the nuclear family.

• Liberal feminists argue that policies and legal reform will ultimately bring about gender equality.

• e.g the feminist movement had an impact on policy and equality, such as the equal pay act 1970 and the sex discrimination act, the creation of womens refuges, change in images of women in teaching materials, more positive to improve gender socialisation.

What do the new right believe about social policy?

1. The new right believe the state should have minimal involvement in society and that people should have freedom to make their own choices and have a sense of individual responsibility.

2. Murray argues that the welfare state gives “perverse incentives” which weaken self reliance and increase dependency culture.

3. Critical of current policies that increase dependency culture, and sociologists should suggest new policies that encourage individuals to take responsibility for their family and their welfare rather then relying on the state

What are some examples of new right policy?

• Breakdown Britain suggested new policies that offer parenting classes and marriage prep.

• Marriage tax allowance to encourage nuclear family.

• Zero tollerence approach to crime.

• Encouraging nuclear family and correct socialisation would reduce crime.

• Favour marketisation policies in education that would increase standards and competition. Give more choices for schools and allow schools to be answerable to parents. (formula funding and open enrolment)

How do social democrats view social policy?

• Similar view to marxists in terms of the existence of inequalities and wanting a more equal society.

• But unlike marxists they do believe sociological research can help governments make policies to reduce inequalities.

• E.g Peter Townsend, New labour policy for education

What are some reasons there might be a weak relationship between policy and sociology?

• some view it as not our job as that is what the government are elected to do.

• Policies maintain the existing structure, (capitalism / patriarchy) we shouldnt aim to change them we should aim for a revolution.

• Even if we could influence policy it doesn’t mean the government will listen.

What is some evidence there is a weak relationship between policy and sociology?

• the tougher regimes pilot.

• A group of researchers were heired by Thatcher

• the idea was that a regime of early wake up calls, military drills, and manual labour over a three month period would shock children out of being criminal. Only 30 minutes of chat allowed per day, with them having to be silent the rest of the day.

• The outcome of the research was that the short sharp shock treatment did not improve reoffending rates - 60% reoffended within 2 years. with a participant saying “it passes the time more quickly and it makes us fit. next time we’ll just run faster from the coppers won’t we?”

• However this research informed penal populism, tougher sentencing and more people going to prison,

How does the black report show a weak relationship between sociology and social policy?

• Looked at inequalities in class and healthcare, it made 37 policy suggestions, that were “swept under the carpet”

What factors might impact whether research has an impact on policy?

• Funding bodies - paymasters who own the research can do what they like with it.

• Electoral popularity - they will do what will make them popular with voters. If unpopular they won’t create the policy.

• Globalisation - policy isn’t just made by nation states international bodies exist, e.g the UN and the EU.

• Cost - some policies may be to expensive to impliment even if governments wanted to.

What main three sociological theories argue we have a weak relationship with policy?

1. Marxism

2. Radical feminism

3. Post modernism.

What do radical feminists believe about social policy?

• The state perpetuates womens subordination through social policy.

• Because the state bases policies on the nuclear family, not cohabiting couples.

• Sees the nuclear family as central to the abuse and oppression of women under patriarchy.

What changes do radical feminists suggest?

• Prioritise more radical and drastic change like separatism, they see policy reform as still feeding into the patriarchal system.

• However they have had some impact on social policy, such as refuges for women escaping domestic abuse.

What do marsists believe about social policy?

• The state represents the interests of the ruling class, so social policy acts in the interest of capitalism, and do not serve society as a whole.

• Policy maintains the caring face of capitalism.

• Policies maintain the workforce for labour and further exploitation - NHS keeps workers fit enough to continue working.

• It is a means of preventing a revolution when class conflict threatens capitalism - the welfare state prevents the working class from rising up against capitalism.

What do marxists see the solution as?

• A revolution.

• The capitalist state will not create policies to fix the problems and inequalities it creates.

• Existing policies act as ideological controls maintaining a false class conscience. (welfare state makes it seem as if the government care about the poor and the sick)

• Believe we must reveal the exploitation.

What is a criticism of the marxist view of social policy?

• Social democratic sociologists point out that poverty researchers have had a positive impact on policy, And that policy can be positive.

What do post modernists believe about social policy?

• There is no point in trying to influence social policy,

• It is impossible to know the truth about society meaning all knowledge provided by research is uncertain

• Therefore sociological research is not enough to base policy on.

• We should be interpreters offering a view of reality, not law makers.