Topic 10: Sociology and Social Policy

What is social problem?

Worsley:

• Behaviour causing public concern / private misery; pattern needing explanation

What factors affect influence of sociology on policy?

• Electoral popularity: unpopular policies ignored

• Ideology of government: must align with government views

• Interest groups: pressure groups influence policy

• Globalisation: EU/IMF influence government

• Critical sociology: too radical → ignored

• Cost: too expensive to implement

• Funding sources: finding shapes by funders

What do positivists believe about policy?

• Sociology = science; social problems have real causes

• Use scientific methods → discover causes → inform policy solutions

Functionalist view on social policy

• Society based on value consensus

• State = neutral, acts for everyone

• Policy maintains order + stability

• Piecemeal social engineering: one problem at a time (AO2: education policy → equal opportunity)

Criticism of functionalism

• Marxists: ignores class inequality; policies fail

• Social problems = structural inequality

What do social democrats believe?

Wealth redistribution rich → poor

Sociologists should research + recommend policy

Townsend’s contribution:

• Research on poverty → policy recommendations

• AO2: higher benefits, more public spending, free school meals, better working conditions

Criticism of social democratic perspective

• Marxists: reforms not enough: capitalism must end

• Gov unlikely to benefit WC

• Postmodernists: no truth → no solutions

Marxist view on social policy

State serves ruling class / capitalism

Functions of social policy (marxism)

• ideological legitimation: justifies inequality

• Maintains labour force: keeps workers fit (AO2: NHS)

• Prevents revolution: reduces conflict

Marxist solution

Revolution → overthrow capitalism → classless society

Sociologists should criticise, not support policy

Criticism of Marxism

Unrealistic; ignores reform

Social democrats: policy can improve society

Feminist view on social policy

Policies often benefit men / patriarchy

How policies reinforce inequality

• Nuclear family assumed → disadvantages others

• AO2: benefits for married couples → self-fulfilling propechy

Feminist influence

Helped shape policies (AO2: education changes)

Radical feminist view

• Men = oppressors; family = key site

• Solution = separatism

New Right view on policy

• Minimal state intervention

• Welfare creates problems

Murray’s view

Welfare → dependency culture

AO2: Lone mothers, delinquent children

New Right solutions

• Individual responsibility

• Strong law and order

Influence on policy

• Conservative + New Labour influenced (AO2: nuclear family preferred)

• Right realism → zero tolerance policing (AO2: Wilson & Kelling, broken windows)

Criticism of New Right

• Weak evidence

• Link between absent fathers + delinquency questioned