SOCIAL POLICY

• What does social policy focus on?

  social problems and how social institutions respond to them. Use sociological research to inform governments and other organisations and influence their response to social problems
• what are the 4 practical purposes of sociological research according to Giddens?

  understanding of the world

  heightened awareness of the needs of individual groups

  assessment of what works

  increased personal knowledge of ourselves and others
• what are social policies?

  government policies that deal with the well being of citizens
• what guided social policy?

  sociological research and theories, empirical data
• what did Weber believe about social policy?

  said sociology shouldnt tell decision makers how to fix society

  believes the policy maker should come up with policy first then find evidence to work out the best way of doing it
• what do postmodernists believe about social policy?

  believes sociology should inform social research. worry it may get worse if theories about poverty and welfare aren’t listened to.

  postmodern consumer society is marginalising the welfare state
• what do Marxists believe about social policy and sociology?

  believes sociology is too close to the capitalist system to make a difference to society. suggest sociology is a tool used to justify unjust social policy.

  policies should aim to dismantle capitalism but sociology is being ‘bought’ through their funding so this can’t happen
• what do liberal feminists believe about social policy and sociology?

  sociology has influenced governments and had beneficial results
• what do radical feminists believe about social policy and sociology?

  sociology can’t make much of a difference as society is inherently patriarchal. patriarchal society must be dismantled before womens lives can be improved
• what do marxist feminists believe about social policy and sociology?

  claim social policy opresses women, undervalues women’s labour and assumes they will bear dual burden
• what might impact whether a sociological study will used by politicians?

  popularity with voters

  financial implications

  electoral power

  higher ups influence