Flashcards on Sociology and Social Policy (2.7)

Question	Answer
Who was the first sociologist to introduce a useful distinction between sociological problems and social problems?	Peter Worsely.
How did Worsely identify a sociological problem?	A sociological problem is a feature of social life that requires an explanation, whether or not that aspect is seen as a problem.
Importantly, sociologists do occasionally study areas of social life that aren't regarded as problems. Give an example:	Norbert Elias studied the development of 'good manners'.
Having said that, a large amount of sociological research does focus on 'social problems'. However, why can this result in disagreements?	Because sociologists disagree on what qualifies as a social problem - some see a high rate of imprisonment as a problem, while others view it as a positive feature of criminal justice. There may also be disagreements about the solutions to these social problems.
Which recent president of the British Sociological Association stated that sociologist can and should address social problems?	John Brewer.
What sort of sociologists agree that sociology should be used to try to change and improve the social world by exposing injustice, inequality and oppression?	Critical social scientists (e.g. marxists, feminists).
However, why may these critical social scientists be reluctant to work within existing power structures?	Because they will likely believe that it is impossible to prevent these structures from supporting the interests of the oppressors, whoever that may be (marxists believe the oppressors are the ruling class, feminists believe they are men).
Before examining the extent to which sociology influences social policy, what should first be acknowledged?	The fact that relationships can work the other way as well - social policies can influence sociology.
In recent years, what has led to new sociological research?	New interventions in the social world (by the government and by others).
Additionally, what do government policies directly shape?	The type of sociological research that gets done.
What body distributes the majority of government funding?	The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
What sort of research is most likely to receive funding from the ESRC?	Research that is directly concerned with the impact of government policies, maximising value for money and achieving government aims.
How is the effectiveness of research measured?	Through the Research Excellence Framework (REF).
Why do the ESRC and REF influence sociologists?	Sociologists require funding in order to complete research which could make or break their careers. As such, sociologists who wish to be successful will likely take into account these factors when deciding what to research and even what findings they should be looking for.
Why can the relationship between sociology, social policy and the social world be described as circular?	Sociology studies the changing social world and will therefore likely be influenced by changes in the social world, which in turn are influenced by the social policies that exist.
A wide variety of factors affect what influence (if any) sociologists are likely to have on social policy. Governments are motivated by the desire to attract votes and they are therefore likely to be influenced by what sociological methodology?	Opinion polls and focus groups that are used to research public attitudes.
Even if sociologists are sympathetic to the policies advocated by particular sociologists, why may they be unable to implement them?	The effects of globalisation means that the power of a particular state can be limited.
Sociologists are not the only social scientists by whom the government are influenced. Who arguably have a greater influence that sociologists, and why?	Economists, because economic success if often seen as the key to electoral success.
What alternative do political parties sometimes have close links to, and why?	Particular independent research organisations or 'think tanks'. This is because they have more importance that academic sociologists.
Finally, governments are also likely to be influenced by their own broad ideological beliefs. Why are conservatives less likely to give credence to sociologists than labour?	Because most sociologists have an ideological position that is left of centre and therefore more similar to that of labour politicians that conservative politicians.
Although sociology might have a limited impact on central government, what other areas may it have more of an influence over?	Local councils, individual institutions (e.g. schools) and charities. Additionally, sociological research is sometimes influential over transnational organisations such as the United Nations.
At an international level, what issues have been highlighted by sociological research?	Modern-day slavery and people-trafficking.
Functionalists advocated a largely positivist method of studying society. What did they believe the role of sociology was?	To produce objective descriptions and analysis of the social world.
In theory, such information shouldn't carry implications about what policies should be followed but should merely analyse what the effects of different policies would be. However, what have both early and later functionalists argued?	That some things are functional for society and some are not, thus implying what sort of policies should be promoted.
Which functionalist actually went even further than this, arguing that scientific sociology could be used to promote progress and 'guide' society to improve it?	Auguste Comte.
How is functionalism biased, according to critics?	Critics argue it has a conservative bias, supporting the status quo by ardently supporting the existence of institutions, which they regarded as inarguably positive.
While this criticism is true of the likes of Talcott Parsons, it is less accurate when applied to which functionalist?	Emile Durkheim, who actually advocated for the abolition of the inheritance of wealth in order to make society more meritocratic.
Positivist statistical analysis, which is advocated by some functionalists, is extremely important in the development of social policies. Why?	Because statistical analysis is widely used by government departments and other organisations when deciding between different policies.
Most government-funded research produces a range of statistical information. However, what does positivist research in itself not suggest?	What kind of aim should be pursued by those making social policies.
The new right and neoliberalism have been far more influential than functionalism in directing social policies over recent decades. What sort of political perspectives are these?	Right-of-centre political perspectives that see the free-market capitalist economy as the solution to most social problems.
When did the new right begin to influence policies in the UK and the USA?	After the elections of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan.
These days, those advocating a right-of-centre political perspective are more likely to be referred to as neoliberals. How does neoliberalism differ slightly from the new right perspective?	The new right was strongly associated with supporting traditional values, while neoliberalism is much more focused on free-market economics.
Who was perhaps the most influential new right/neoliberal thinker?	Frederick Hayek.
What did Hayek advocate, and why?	He advocated minimal state intervention in the economy because he believed that the more the state intervened with the economy, the more the state was run in the interests of state employees, meaning the economy would be insufficient.
Why did Hayek believe free markets produced greater efficiency?	Because competition ensures that only the most successful companies will survive, which drives out all insufficient companies.
According to Hayek, what does state control lead to?	Centralisation of power and a lack of democracy.
Conversely, what do free markets lead to?	A decentralisation of power, particularly into the hands of consumers.
New right/neoliberal thinkers do not hesitate in stating that their approach should be used to influence government policy and they have formed a number of think tanks with the express purpose of doing so. Give an example of such a think tank:	The Social Market Foundation.
Despite being associated with the conservative party, what other governments have been influenced by the new right and neoliberal perspectives?	The new labour governments of 1997 - 2010.
Although economics has been central to new right/neoliberal thinking, some sociologists taking the approach have had a considerable influence on social policy. Which new right thinker was very influential on policies on welfare in the UK?	Charles Murray.
Murray's influence has resulted in a trend towards what?	Making receipt of benefits dependent upon looking for work.
Policies relating to crime have also been strongly influenced in both the UK and the USA by the work of which right realist criminologists?	James Wilson and George Kelling.
Despite the considerable influence of right realism, what political view do most sociologists adopt?	A left-of-centre view. As such, they're highly critical of new right/neoliberal thinking.
Social democratic perspectives are typically associated with left-of-centre political parties in Europe. While they are partially based on economic ideas, how do they differ from new right/neoliberal perspectives?	They argued that a mixed economy is necessary - this is one in which some goods and services are produced by private businesses and some by the state.
Social democrats believe that if they are left to their own devices, capitalist economies will produce excessive inequality. Why do they believe equality of opportunity is undermined?	Because they believe the children of the rich gain unfair advantages over other children, which leads to class conflict.
Although social democratic perspectives are partly based on economics, sociologists have made a considerable contribution to the development of social democratic thought. Give an example:	Peter Townsend's idea of relative poverty suggests that income inequality an lead to social exclusion.
Which governments do social democratic perspectives typically influence?	Left-of-centre governments, particularly the labour governments of the 1960s and 1970s.
However, they had less influence when Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were in office. What approach did Blair support?	An approach known as the Third Way.
What did the Third Way attempt to combine?	Left- and right-wing thinking - essentially, it wanted to bring social democracy and capitalism together.
Which sociologist developed the Third Way approach?	Anthony Giddens.
Why did those with left-wing views heavily criticise the Third Way?	They argued that it was effectively a slightly watered-down version of neoliberalism.
Why do radical sociologists state that social democrats are unrealistic?	Social democrats claim that gradual reform of capitalism can lead to a fairer society, which radical sociologists don't agree with.
Critical social science involves all forms of social science that argue for a radical transformation of society. What are the two key sciences involved?	Marxism and (radical) feminism.
Marxists believe that sociological ideas should be used to transform society by producing radically different social policies. Why do they hold this opinion?	They believe that societies are generally run in the interests of the ruling class. This class are able to manipulate policies to ensure they are the beneficiaries.
What do marxists think of policies that seemingly benefit the mass of the population?	They believe these are little more than ideological smokescreens, used to disguise the continuing exploitation of the working class.
However, it should be noted that there are different strands of marxism. Why do some strands acknowledge that some policies are somewhat progressive?	Because they argue that the ruling class do, on occasion, make genuine concessions to the working class in the form of policies.
Marxist perspectives have had relatively little influence on social policies in the UK. Which parties have they had some influence on?	The left of Democratic Socialist parties, such as the labour party. Jeremy Corbyn put the concerns of marxists on the political gender, despite not being a marxist himself.
When did marxism lose some of its political appeal and influence?	After the collapse of the Soviet Union and communism in Eastern Europe.
Radical feminism is a strand of critical social science. What two extremes do radical feminists advocate?	1. Female supremacy. 2. Female separatism.
Why has radical feminism had very little impact on mainstream political parties?	Because it is too radical.
However, social policy campaigns run by radical feminists have had considerable influence. Give an example:	Campaigns highlighting domestic and sexual violence against women have been very influential and have led to increased policing of such crimes.
Liberal feminism, on the other hand, has considerable influenced social policy. What Acts has it brought about?	The Equal Pay Act 1970 is a key example - it outlaws gender discrimination in the workplace.
However, radical feminists are critical of liberal feminism. Why?	They argue that liberal feminist approaches haven't fundamentally changed the patriarchal nature of society.

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Flashcards on Sociology and Social Policy (2.7)

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