Social Policy

Social Policy

Plans and actions of the government to tackle social problems.

Social Problems

Behaviour that causes public friction and private misery requiring collective action, e.g., poverty.

Sociological Problems

Patterns or relationships that require explanation, as defined by Worlsley.

Influences on Social Policy

Factors include electoral popularity, government ideologies, interest groups, globalisation, critical sociology, and funding sources.

Positivism

A sociological perspective that advocates for objective information delivery and helps society run smoothly through policies.

Functionalism

Early sociological view that policies are integral to maintaining social order and value consensus.

Piecemeal Social Engineering

An approach where sociologists tackle one social issue at a time.

Social Democratic Perspective

Shares Marxist views on inequality and emphasizes researching social problems before policy recommendations.

Peter Townsend

A sociologist associated with the social democratic perspective's research on social inequality.

Marxism

Belief that social policies legitimize state exploitation of the working class.

Ideological Legitimization

The process by which social policies provide justification for the state's exploitation of the working class, according to Marxism.

Welfare State

A system that aims to improve social and economic conditions to prevent working-class revolution, as seen by Marxists.

Critique of Social Policy

Marxists advocate for sociologists to criticize social policies rather than contribute to them.

Feminism

A perspective that sees social policies as supporting patriarchy and promotes women's rights.

Impact of Feminism on Education

Feminism has influenced learning materials and teacher training.

The New Right

An ideology advocating minimal state involvement in society, opposed to benefits that undermine self-sufficiency.

Murray (1984)

A New Right thinker who discussed social policy in 'Breakdown Britain' (2007).

Electoral Popularity

A factor influencing how sociological research affects social policy.

Interest Groups

Organizations that may sway social policy based on their agendas and influence.

Globalisation

A factor contributing to the complexity of social policy formulation and implementation.

Cost & Funding Sources

Economic factors that impact the feasibility of implementing sociologically informed policies.

Early Sociologists

Founders of sociology who viewed it as part of the enlightenment project.

Sociologists' Role

Tasked with delivering objective information to inform public policies.

Black Report

A study by sociologist Peter Townsend on health inequalities related to policy.

Educational Underachievement

A social problem involving poor educational outcomes often leading to public concern.

Lift on Labor Force Trappings

Marxists argue the NHS maintains the labor force for capitalist exploitation.

Refuges for Women

One area where feminist policy effects are evident.

Conservative Governments

Political parties influenced by New Right perspectives on minimizing state intervention.

Social Behaviour

Actions that may classify as social problems prompting policy response.

Collective Action

Group efforts required to resolve social problems.

Value Consensus

A shared agreement among members of society which policies aim to uphold.

Research Priorities in Sociology

Sociological research that informs social policy must first identify social crises.

NHS (National Health Service)

A social policy seen by Marxists as a means to manage the working class.

Understanding Social Policy

A key concept in sociology that encompasses legislation addressing societal issues.

Social Inequality Measurement

Sociological research focused on disparities that can shape social policy.

Teacher Training Impact

An effect of feminist policies aimed at improving educational equity.

Market-driven Social Policy

Policies driven by new right ideologies promoting market solutions over state interventions.

Social Engineering

The practice of developing policies aimed at influencing society systematically.