the influence of sociology on policy

However, even when sociologists do conduct research into social problems, there is no guarantee of what?

Many factors may affect whether or not sociological research succeeds in influencing policy - what are 7 of the factors?

However, even when sociologists do conduct research into social problems, there is no guarantee that policy-makers will use their findings in social policies.

Many factors may affect whether or not sociological research succeeds in influencing policy:

1. electoral popularity

2. Ideological and policy preferences of governments

3. Interest groups

4. globalisation

5. critical sociology

6. cost

7. funding sources

Factors that affect whether sociological research influences policy - Electoral popularity

• Research findings and recommendations might point to a policy that would be u____ with v____.

Factors that affect whether sociological research influences policy - Electoral popularity

• Research findings and recommendations might point to a policy that would be unpopular with voters

Factors that affect whether sociological research influences policy - Ideological and policy preferences of governments

• If the researcher's v____-s___ or perspective is similar to the p____ i____ of the government, they may stand more c___ of influencing its policies.

Factors that affect whether sociological research influences policy - Ideological and policy preferences of governments

• If the researcher's value-stance or perspective is similar to the political ideology of the government, they may stand more chance of influencing its policies.

Factors that affect whether sociological research influences policy - Globalisation

• Social policy isn't just made by nation states in i____. I____ o____ such as the E____ U____ and the I____ M____ F____ (IMF) may influence the social policies of i____ governments.

• For example, the IMF's 's____ a____ p____' have required what? despite what?

Factors that affect whether sociological research influences policy - Globalisation

• Social policy isn't just made by nation states in isolation. International organisations such as the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) may influence the social policies of individual governments.

• For example, the IMF's 'structural adjustment programmes' have required less developed countries to introduce fees for education and health care as a condition for aid, despite evidence from social scientists that this makes development less likely.

Factors that affect whether sociological research influences policy - Critical sociology

Sociologists such as M___, who are c___ of the state and powerful groups, may be regarded as too e___, h___ or i____ and therefore u___ to influence policy.

Factors that affect whether sociological research influences policy - Critical sociology

Sociologists such as Marxists, who are critical of the state and powerful groups, may be regarded as too extreme, hostile or impractical and therefore unlikely to influence policy.

Factors that affect whether sociological research influences policy - Cost

• Even if the government is s___ to the sociologist's findings, it may not have s____ f____ to implement an a____ policy based on them, or it may have other s___ p___ and c___.

Factors that affect whether sociological research influences policy - Cost

• Even if the government is sympathetic to the sociologist's findings, it may not have sufficient funds to implement an appropriate policy based on them, or it may have other spending priorities and commitments.

Factors that affect whether sociological research influences policy - Funding sources

• In some cases, sociologists may tone down their findings and policy recommendations - why?

• Similarly, policymakers may recruit sociologists who s____ their a____ and p___ values.

• The research findings may then be used to j____ what the policymakers i____ to do in the first place.

• Similarly, 'think tanks' or research institutes often have particular p____ s____ - for example, some are seen as l____ leaning, while others have r___-w___ sympathies. Politicians seeking a particular result to justify their f____ policies can be s____ in which think tanks they turn to for r____.

Factors that affect whether sociological research influences policy - Funding sources

• In some cases, sociologists may tone down their findings and policy recommendations so as to fit in with their paymasters' wishes -

• Similarly, policymakers may recruit sociologists who share their assumptions and political values.

• The research findings may then be used to justify what the policymakers intended to do in the first place.

• Similarly, 'think tanks' or research institutes often have particular political sympathies - for example, some are seen as left leaning, while others have right-wing sympathies. Politicians seeking a particular result to justify their favoured policies can be selective in which think tanks they turn to for research.

• In addition to any direct influence on policymakers, social scientists' ideas sometimes become part of m___ c____ and i_____ the way people see social problems.

• When this happens, it can influence the c____ of o____ in favour of policies that reflect these social science-derived ideas.

• This in turn can affect the policies that governments produce. For example, John Bowlby's (1965) idea of what? became widely accepted by many people.

• In the example above, it may have influenced policies on d___ c___, y___ o___ and so on.

• In addition to any direct influence on policymakers, social scientists' ideas sometimes become part of mainstream culture and influence the way people see social problems.

• When this happens, it can influence the climate of opinion in favour of policies that reflect these social science-derived ideas.

• This in turn can affect the policies that governments produce. For example, John Bowlby's (1965) idea that young children's relationships with their mother are crucial for normal development became widely accepted by many people.

• In the example above, it may have influenced policies on day care, young offenders and so on.

The power to define the problem

• Sociological research is thus only o___ p____ e____ in shaping social policy.

• Ultimately, any policy is the result of a p____ d____ by those in p____

• As B____ (1998) says, social policies:

'cannot be very well understood if they are simply treated as "n____" attempts to deal with "p____".

• Indeed, what is to count as a problem is itself generally a matter of p___ d___'

• Often, those with p____ are the ones who are able to d____ what is and what is not a p____, and what if anything should be done about it.

The power to define the problem

• Sociological research is thus only one possible element in shaping social policy.

• Ultimately, any policy is the result of a political decision by those in power

• As Burden (1998) says, social policies:

'cannot be very well understood if they are simply treated as "neutral" attempts to deal with "problems".

• Indeed, what is to count as a problem is itself generally a matter of political debate'

• Often, those with power are the ones who are able to define what is and what is not a problem, and what if anything should be done about it.