Assess the relationship between sociology and social policy’ (33 marks) Sociologists often research social problems like poverty, divorce and juvenile delinquency. Some of these studies have been very influential in society and have been taken on board by governments and resulted in policy. When sociologists conduct research into social problems there is no guarantee that policy-makers such as the government, will use their findings to produce policies. There are many factors that may affect whether or not sociological research succeeds in influencing policy. This essay will assess these factors to show the relationship between sociology and social policy. Firstly, different factors affect how influential sociological research can be on social policy. Governments are at the mercy of the electorate. If the research findings recommend policy’s that may be unpopular with the voting public then the government in power is going to be reluctant to implement that policy because they want to stay in power. Therefore, if values and perspectives of the researchers are similar to the political ideology of the party in power then they stand more of a chance of influencing its policies. If they are not, then they would have difficulty in persuading them that their solutions will work. Alongside this, pressure groups and globalization also affect how influential sociological research can be on social policy. The size and power of an interest group will affect how influential it will be. Large international companies will have more influence over government decisions and can pay for research which can be used effectively and back up the suggestions. In comparison, small pressure groups such as the ‘Women’s Liberation’ movement have to campaign for years before they have any affect, if at all, on social policies. Pressure groups seek to influence governments for their own interests. The power or popularity of these groups will affect whether they are considered. For example, business groups may succeed in persuading government not to raise minimum wage even though this would reduce poverty. In contrast with this, a group of students wanting to close all cigarette factories for the benefit of everyone’s health have less chance of influencing policy. Another example of this is Jamie Oliver’s influence on health and dietary habits, changing the policy on school dinners. Oliver was able to use his power as a successful well-known television chef and be heard on his campaign against unhealthy school meals. International organisations who have lots of power and influence can outweigh the evidence produced by sociologists. For example, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has persuaded governments to make less developed countries introduce fees for health care and education before aid is given. Despite evidence from social scientists which shows that the measure makes development less likely, the IMF has an overruling influence. Furthermore, cost and funding affects the influence of sociology on social policy. Money affects the likelihood of findings being introduced. Sociological research can produce possible solutions to social problems that the government agrees with. However, they may not have the money to implement the recommendations. It costs to do research so sociologists need funding, taking into account the time a researcher is giving up, travel expenses, candidates and possible extra cost for paper and postage etc. Governments often fund research in order to justify their own policies, presenting evidence of their influence working or a definite need for their changes. The results of such research may be influenced by this, and so the findings may be ‘toned down’ in order to fit with the governments wishes. In addition to this, the area of research may not be a priority at that time thus meaning a researcher would struggle to get funding. Marxists view the government as serving the ruling classes, they argue that social policies serve the interest of capitalism and not society as a whole. They argue that the role of the state represents the ruling class, legitimising the ideological, maintaining the labour force for further exploitation and is a means of preventing revolution. The use of the welfare state assists in making it appear as if the state care about vulnerable groups such as the elderly, sick and poor. The NHS is used to keep its work force healthy and fit enough to work, thereby maintaining its own workforce for further exploitation. When class conflict threatens capitalism, the state is used as a means of preventing revolution. For example, the creation of the welfare state after the war was a way of making sure that the working classes did not rise up and oppose capitalism. Marxists believe that sociological research will only influence social policy if it serves the interest of capitalism, for example, the NHS keeps its work force healthy. In contrast with this, they also believe that some social policy does provide a real benefit to the working class, however the provision of benefits and services are constantly threatened by welfare cuts. Positivists and functionalists believe that sociology is a science and so can discover solutions to social problems. They believe that society is based on value consensus which is free from conflict and look at social problems that affect the whole of society, education health and housing. Early positivists Comte and Durkheim viewed sociology as a science. They believed that through scientific research they could discover both the problems of society and the solutions. For them, sociology’s role is to provide the state with objective scientific information that they can use to base their policies on. For example, Durkheim’s research led to his proposal of an education system based on merit and the abolition of inherited wealth. He argued that this would lead to a more cohesive society. Both positivism and functionalism believe that the government does serve the interest of society as a whole and so will produce social policies for the good of all based on their research. Functionalists tend to look at one issue at a time, for example, Marxists criticise this by pointing out the need to tackle inequalities in society as a whole before you tackle the working class underachievement in education. In comparison with the positivist and functionalist approach, feminists view society as patriarchal and a way of reinforcing women’s subordination. For example, the state bases its policies on the nuclear family and so offers benefits to married couples, not cohabiting ones and thus are creating a self-fulfilling policy by encouraging the nuclear family. This makes it more difficult for other types of family. They see sociology influencing social policy that brings about women’s equality. Liberal feminists have been successful in influencing government policy, the Sex Discrimination Act, Equal Pay Act and changes in education have all been achieved through their influence. However, Marxists criticise feminists as, again, they see the need to tackle wider society first as otherwise these policy’s and laws will be manipulated and women will continue to be oppressed. In contrast with these other perspectives, the new right perspective do not believe in state involvement in society. New Right thinkers believe that the states involvement in the family, income and support, education and health, take away peoples choices and feelings of responsibility for their own and their family’s welfare. They regard the welfare state as causing a dependency culture and want sociology to help develop policies that restore individual’s responsibility. In 2007 ‘Social Justice Policy Group’, a conservative think tank, proposed a range of social policies aimed at the family; marriage preparation, parenting classes, and tax relief and benefits for mothers who stay at home with their children. They see the role of social policy as something which is used to enable people to help themselves rather than have the welfare state do it for them. However, they are criticised for using ‘evidence’ from right wing ‘think tanks’ rather than sociological research. Lastly, Social democratic perspective believes that society is based on inequality and conflict similar to Marxists but not so extreme. They claim that sociological research helps to make recommendations to the government in order to address the major inequalities in society. Peter Townsend’s research into poverty made recommendations to the government for more spending on the welfare state, education and health services. Black report (1980) looked at inequalities in health based on class, the report put forward 37 policy recommendations to reduce these inequalities; free school meals, improve working conditions, better benefits for the disabled and to improve housing. In this case, unfortunately there was a change in government before the report was published and so none of the recommendations were implemented due to cost. Additionally, governments have the power to ignore recommendations. Marxists criticise the social democratic perspective as they feel it does not go far enough. Marxists see capitalism as the problem, and therefore policies need to abolish that. They use the way the Conservative government used the Black report as evidence that a capitalist state will never spend public money on improving the situation for the working class. Postmodernists criticise attempts by these sociologists to influence policy due to their belief that all knowledge produced by research is only a version of the truth and therefore, is not a satisfactory bases for policy. Sociological research can and has influenced government policy. However, there are many factors that affect how influential their findings will be. Social policy should be based on sound reasoning gained from evidence produced through research. However the results of research can be manipulated for a number of reasons and can be motivated by personal interest. So if the results are in vogue at the time they will be accepted, if not they will be ignored.
