A Level Sociology



A Level Sociology Unit 3: Theory and Methods Topic 5Social Policy 86106016954500Objectives:Understand the difference between social problems and sociological problemsKnow the factors that may affect the extent to which sociology can influence social policy Know the main sociological perspectives on the relationship between sociology and social policy, and be able to evaluate their strengths and limitations Introduction: 17907002106295What are social problems?What are social problems?center4175760What are sociological problems?What are sociological problems?1775460170815What is social policy?What is social policy?The influence of sociology on social policy:Even when sociologists conduct research it may not influence social policy. Many factors affect whether or not it will succeed in influencing policy:Electoral popularity – research findings may be unpopular with the electoratePolicy preferences of the government – if they have the same value stance as the research findings it is more likely to be supportedInterest groups – may affect the research findingsGlobalisation – social policy isn’t just made my nation states. The EU or the UN may impact social policy in the UKCritical sociology – some sociologists who are critical of state power, like Marxists, may be seen as too extremeCost – government may have insufficient funds to carry out the findingsFunding sources – in some cases, sociologists may tone down their findings and policy recommendations so as to fit in with their paymasters wishesPerspectives on social policy and sociology:FUNCTIONALISM Functionalists see society as based on value consensus and free from fundamental conflicts. They see the state as serving the interests of society as a whole, producing and implementing rational social policies for the good of all. These policies help society run more smoothly and efficiently. For functionalists, the sociologists role is to provide the state with objective, scientific information. By investigating social problems and discovering their causes, sociologists provide the necessary information on which the state can base its policies. In this view, the sociologist is rather like the medical researcher. Just as medical research discovers the causes of diseas as a basis for prevention or cure, so the sociologist’s role is to investigate social problems scientifically. This provides the state with objective information about their extent and explanations of their causes as well as possible ‘cures’ in the shape of policy recommendations. Can you think of any examples of policies which benefit the whole of society (think about this in relation to the family and to education)? SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PERSPECTIVE It favours a major redistribution of wealth and income from the rich to the poor. Townsend argues that sociologists should be involved in researching social problems and making policy recommendations to eradicate them. The Black Report (1980) on class inequalities in health made no fewer than 37 far-reaching policy recommendations for reducing these deep-rooted inequalities. These included free school meals for all children, improved working conditions, better benefits for the disable and more spending to improve housing.MARXISMSee society as divided by a fundamental conflict of interest in which the ruling capitalist class exploit the labour of the working class. In the Marxist view, the state represents the ruling class and its social policies serve the interests of capitalism, not those of society as a whole. They provide ideological legitimation – masks exploitation by creating a caring face eg welfare state makes it appear that the system cares about the poor, sick and the oldThey maintain the labour force for further exploitation – NHS keeps workers fitThey are a means of preventing a revolution – when class conflict intensifies and threatens the stability of capitalism. For example, Marxists see the policies that created the welfare state after the Second World War (1939-1945) as a way of buying off working class opposition to capitalismMarxists recognise that social policies do sometimes provide real, if limited benefits to the working class. However, such gains are threatened with reversal by capitalism’s tendency to go in to periodic crises of profitability, leading to cuts in state spending on welfare. The only solution to social problems is a revolution to overthrow capitalism and create a classless society. For Marxists, therefore, the sociologists; main role should be to criticise capitalist social policy, not to serve the capitalist state. The sociologist must reveal the exploitation that underpins capitalism, and the way in which the ruling class use social policies to mask this exploitation. 345186039624000Why would Marxists argue that pensions are kept low?FEMINISM Quickly re-cap below the views of radical and liberal feminism 3185160447040Liberal feminismLiberal feminism548640436245Radical feminismRadical feminismThey believe the state perpetuates women’s subordination through its policies. Policies assume that the normal family is a conventional nuclear family with a heterosexual couple. Benefits to married couple reinforces these stereotypes.How do maternity leave policies reinforce gender stereotypes?Feminist research has had an impact in a number of policy areas including education and teacher training/ employment and anti-discrimination laws, which will ultimately bring about gender equality. Many of these policies reflect the liberal feminist view that anti-discrimination reforms will ultimately bring about gender equality. What other policies have helped reduce gender inequality according to liberal feminists?On the other hand radical feminist ideas have also had some influence on social policy. Radical feminists regard men as direct oppressors of women, especially through the family. They therefore favour separatism – the idea that women need to separate themselves from men to be free from patriarchy. One policy that reflects this is refugees escaping domestic violence. For example, the Women’s Aid Federation supports a national framework of over 500 such services, often with funding from the government. NEW RIGHT They believe that the state should have minimum intervention and involvement in society. In particular, they are opposed to using state provision of welfare to deal with social problems. In their view, state intervention in areas such as family life, income support, education and health care robs people of their freedom to make their own choices and undermines their sense of responsibility. Murray argues that generous welfare benefits and council housing for lone parents act as ‘perverse incentives’ that weakens the family’s self-reliance and causes a dependency culture/underclass.What did the New Right say about policy relating to:Policy (hint – think of welfare state, divorce, diversity, underclass)Education (hint – think of marketisation, parentocracy, league tables, open enrolment)1Quick check questions: Explain the difference between a social problem and a sociological problemIdentify three factors affecting social policy apart from sociologists’ research findingsWhich early sociologists argued that sociology should act as a guide to social policy?Identify three ways in which Marxists see policies as helping to maintain capitalismHow might social research be affected by sources of funding?Suggest three policies that feminist research may have influencedConcept grid: KEY WORDDEFINITION Social problems Sociological problems Social policy Factors affecting whether research influences policy Functionalist viewsSocial democratic viewsMarxist viewsFeminist views New Right viewsExam technique: Item A Early positivist sociologists believed that sociology was a ‘science of society’ that would enable us to discover the causes of social problems and offer solutions to them. Sociologists’ research findings would then enable the state to implement appropriate social policies to deal with the problems. In the same way as a medical research can discover cures for diseases, so sociological research could help solve society’s problems. However, Marxists claim that the main function of social policy is to maintain capitalism and that the role of sociologists should therefore be to criticise policy, not to serve the capitalist state. Applying material from Item A and your knowledge, evaluate different sociological perspectives’ views of the relationship between sociology and social policy (20 marks) ................
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