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THEORIES (2): DEBATES - CAN/ SHOULD SOCIOLOGY INFLUENCE SOCIAL POLICY? -…
THEORIES (2): DEBATES - CAN/ SHOULD SOCIOLOGY INFLUENCE SOCIAL POLICY?
YES
PROVIDING AWARENESS OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
research can help make society aware of cultural differences through social policies influenced by said research - 'informed awareness'
PROVIDING SELF-AWARENESS + UNDERSTANDING
ppl may join pressure groups to amplify the voices of the disadvantaged/ marginalised + develop self-awareness of their positions in society and take action against injustice
pressure groups impact social policy by challenging the gov into either changing/ forming new policies + implementing them
PROVIDING THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
sociological theories/ sociologist's works can influence what social policy a gov decides to follow
the cons. followed policies against welfare (new right,
MURRAY
), while new labour followed what helped the disadvantaged (
GIDDENS
)
PROVIDING PRACTICAL PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE
those who study sociology and go into e.g. civil service can have direct impact in departments like home office, enabling change in policies that meet needs of the ppl as they're part of the ppl
IDENTIFYING SOCIAL PROBLEMS
sociologists have highlighted social problems like poverty, crime, discrimination (sex, race etc.), resulting in policies like the equality act, sex discrimination act to be created
PROVIDING EVIDENCE
sociological research has significance as evidence so policymakers can create evidence based policies, so considerations for change has basis + provides proof of actual impact
EVALUATING CURRENT GOV POLICIES
sociologists can evaluate current policies to investigate unintended consequences, and help establish whether they've worked + achieved what they meant to, and whether they need changing/ scrapping
NO
POLICY PREFERENCES OF GOVS
if a researcher's values aligns with a gov's ideology, their research will likely be able to influence policy, but if not, this becomes unlikely
in the case that sociologist values don't align, research will be ignored - the black report, initially commissioned by the labour gov, but by the time of its completion thatcher's gov came into power, who completely disregarded the research
research findings need to match the interest of policies the public are interested in; popular w/ voters = more voters voting for the party supporting a policy, even if it doesn't match w/ study findings
ultimately, it's up to the gov what social policies are followed, meaning research can't always be used if it doesn't align with the gov's interests
INTEREST GROUPS
pressure groups, think tanks (research institutions), politicians + business groups may all seek to have an impact on social policy
left-wing politicians listen to left-wing influence/ groups, while right-wing politicians will listen to right-wing; authority figures with a particular view will likely be selective in who they choose
FINCANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
funding can restrict a researcher from being able to employ a social policy to its desired scale, even if they have all the findings + support onboard
PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL POLICY
FUNCTIONALISTS
DO SUPPORT social policy
they believe sociologists can investigate the causes then come up w/ explanations, then potential solutions in the form of policies
in favour of education, health + housing policies
FEMINISTS
LIBERAL FEM SUPPORTS social policy
they believe the state's existing policies enable women's subordination, but by doing research they can influence policies to turn in their favour instead
in favour of policies that promote positive female images (in education), policies for domestic violence
MARXISTS
DON'T SUPPORT social policy
they believe policies create capitalist exploitation (welfare state has a 'human face'), maintain the labour force for further exploitation, and prevent revolution
research that reveals the truth about capitalism will be ignored in process of policy formation
current policies only exist to boost profits
POSTMODERNISTS
DON'T SUPPORT social policy
they believe research = uncertain (objective truth can never be entirely known), so can't be seen as solid ground for policy making
sociologists can only be 'interpreters', offering one view out of many
NEW RIGHT
MAINLY DON'T SUPPORT social policy, but HAVE EXCEPTIONS
they believe there should be independence between the state + society, as they believe this will lead to a reduction in social problems
critical of policies around benefits for single parents, fsm, but in favour of policies that support marriage/ nuclear family, e.g. marriage tax allowance