Sociology and Social Policy

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Last updated 9:22 PM on 4/15/26
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4 Terms

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The contribution of sociology to social policy

Sociologists in areas such as education, health, poverty and crime has had quite important effects on social policies of govts and often the govts will commission research. Also bodies which are specifically concerned with social policy research within which sociologists work - Giddens suggests a number of ways that sociology can help us in our lives. Sociologists can help with the following:

  • provide evidence - collect data and see where there are gaps so can address social problems

  • identifying unintended consequences - important role in reviewing the effect and impact on policies that that have been implemented - seeing if cri me prevention strategies just lead to displacement

  • assessing the results - help govt understand if policy has met its met its aims - quality checking

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Why is the relationship between sociology and social policy not straight forward?

process of policy formation involves far more than simply looking at the evidence - other factors which could affect whether or not sociology is able to influence social policy. These factors make sociology is a small contribution.

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What are the factors that affect social policy more?

  • electoral popularity - want to win votes - immigration w Farage

  • ideological and policy preferences of govt - RR policies to crime and league tables in education - Child Support Agency 1993 under Thatcher

  • interest groups - seek its influence policy of their own interests and get involved in politics eg Trump and Musk and big businesses

  • globalisation - international policy groups eg IMF and UN

  • critical sociology - marxism eg viewed as hostile and extreme so less likely to be taken seriously - crimes of powerful eg

  • cost - not having possible funds so not feasible eg Black report looking at health inequalities was considered too costly to implement - reclassification of cannabis in 2008 despite showing bad effects

  • funding sources - may ask for things to fit with their interests/to justify their actions eg govt advised to use think tanks who have political sympathies

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