Social Policy

• What is Sociology?

  The study of society and people's behavior
• What is Social Policy?

  Activities of governments to meet social needs
• How do city academies relate to Social Policy?

  They aim to raise educational performance
• What are Social Problems?

  Behaviors causing public concern and misery
• What are Sociological Problems?

  Behaviors we wish to understand better
• Why might some behaviors be considered Sociological Problems?

  They may not be viewed as problematic by society
• How should Sociology relate to Social Policy?

  • Sociology should be closely related to social policy
  • Sociology should not be closely related to social policy
• What was the ESRC's budget in 2007-8?

  £100 million
• How can sociology help eradicate social problems?

  By identifying and providing solutions to them
• Who widely adopted Gidden’s 'The Third Way'?

  Tony Blair
• What do sociologists who side with the 'underdog' believe?

  In offering practical measures to reduce inequality
• How does sociology contribute to social policy?

  1. Awareness of cultural differences
  2. Theoretical framework provision
  3. Identification and evidence of social problems
• What role do sociologists in government departments play?

  Shaping or evaluating social policy
• What do some radical sociological theorists believe about sociologists and social policy?

  • Sociologists should be independent from government
  • They should be critical of government actions
  • They may be ideologically opposed to policy making
• Who are New Right theorists?

  Those against sociologists making policy recommendations
• What do New Right theorists stress regarding social problems?

  Individual responsibility over state involvement
• What does Murray argue about welfare provision?

  It weakens families' self-reliance
• What do New Right theorists believe about welfare dependency?

  • Creates a dangerous underclass
  • Leads to a dependency culture
  • Results in irresponsible family structures
• What do New Right theorists propose regarding social policy?

  To suggest alternatives that promote responsibility
• What do radical feminists criticize about liberal feminists?

  Promotion of anti-discrimination policies
• What do radical feminists favor for women's liberation?

  Separatism from men
• How do radical feminists view state social policies?

  As worsening women's subordination
• Who are early Positivists like Durkheim?

  Those who view sociology as a science
• What do functionalists believe about social policies?

  They create social stability
• What did Durkheim propose for a fair society?

  A meritocratic education system
• What do liberal feminists believe about anti-discrimination reforms?

  They promote gender equality
• What changes have liberal feminists campaigned for in education?

  To prevent bias against girls
• What is shared maternity leave?

  Allows men to take part of maternity leave
• When was shared maternity leave introduced?

  2011
• What are critical points regarding sociologists and social policy?

  1. Sociologists' views may not be listened to
  2. Funding agencies may compromise proposals
  3. Implementation costs affect research use
  4. Sociological problems differ from social problems
• How do sociological problems differ from social problems?

  Sociological problems need explaining, social problems harm society
• Will all sociological research be relevant to social policy?

  No, not all sociological research is relevant