Sociology & Social Policy

• What is a key debate in sociology regarding social policy?

  Whether sociology should inform social policy
• Who suggested that sociology is not always connected to social issues?

  Worsley
• What types of research may not focus on national importance?

  Family identity, culture, and health practices
• What is the implication of increasingly micro sociological research?

  Sociology can exist without social changes
• What are some considerations when examining sociology and social policy?

  Theoretical perspectives and practical reasons
• What does Brewer argue about sociology's role?

  Sociology should address social problems
• What are the theoretical perspectives on sociology and social policy?

  • Functionalism: Contradictory attitudes
  • Marxism: Protects elite interests
  • Feminism: Divided approaches
  • Realism: Provides solutions to problems
• How does functionalism view social policy?

  It has a contradictory attitude
• Who suggested that studying society helps social institutions?

  Durkheim
• What did Parsons advocate regarding social policy?

  Promoting traditional values like the nuclear family
• How did functionalism's view on social policy evolve?

  Adopted personal responsibility due to permissive policies
• What ideology did the new right adopt from functionalism?

  Personal responsibility
• What do Marxists believe about social policy?

  It protects the interests of the elites
• How do Marxists view laws governing property?

  As benefiting the elites
• What do feminists argue about social policies for women?

  They often reinforce traditional gender roles
• What legislation has liberal feminists influenced?

  Equal pay act and sexual discrimination act
• How do left and right realists view sociology's role?

  As providing solutions to real problems
• What policies have right realists influenced?

  Zero tolerance and situational crime prevention
• How have left realists influenced social policy?

  By addressing inequality and marginalization
• What is the new right's stance on state intervention?

  Minimal intervention is preferred
• What economic policies have the new right applied?

  Marketization and privatization in education
• What did New Labour's third way politics combine?

  Social development with economic development
• Who influenced New Labour's policies?

  Anthony Giddens
• What is a primary reason sociology does not inform social policy?

  Clash of ideologies between governments and sociologists
• What was the Black Report about?

  Health inequalities in the UK
• Why are costs a factor in sociology informing social policy?

  Implementing recommendations can be too costly
• How do methodologies affect social policy implementation?

  Governments prefer popular policies for votes
• Why do governments prefer think tanks over sociologists?

  Think tanks have closer connections to MPs
• How does globalization impact social policy?

  Policies are influenced by international organizations
• What are some examples of sociology influencing social policy?

  Crime prevention policies and education reforms
• How does sociology contribute to social policy indirectly?

  Through research groups funded by the government
• What are the main influences of sociology on social policy?

  • Left and right realism on crime policies
  • New right on education and healthcare
  • Giddens' influence on New Labour
  • Government funding for sociological research