AQA A2 Sociology- Theory and Social Policy
- Created by: EmK123
- Created on: 14-06-16 17:27
View mindmap
- Theory- Social Policy
- Giddens: 4 benefits of sociology:
- Understanding social situations- Gives facts for theories to develop and theoretical info to provide explanations
- Awareness of cultural differences- helps us see different people's points of view.
- Effects of policies- sociological knowledge would make policies more effective
- Increase self knowledge- allows people to reflect on their ideas and challenge themselves.
- Factors that effect policy making
- Electoral popularity
- Government ideology- does the research match their ideas?
- Cost- is it costly to conduct and implement findings?
- Globalisation- UK policies are influenced by EU.
- Marxism
- Social policy just represents the R/C and serves Capitalism.
- Ideological Legitimisation- any policies brought in just masks exploitation e.g. welfare state gave a face to capitalism.
- Maintains the workforce- NHS makes sure everyone is fit to work and continue serving Capitalism/ economy
- Means of preventing rebellion- if conflict arises it would threaten stability- Welfare state 'buys off' the W/C.
- Main role of Sociology is to criticise Capitalism but state policies can't solve the problem because capitalism is the problem.
- Social policy just represents the R/C and serves Capitalism.
- Feminism
- Society is based on patriarchy and policies continue women's subordination
- Some feminist's research has impacted policies- research into gender stereotyping in educational books and teaching has impacted teacher training.
- Supports liberal feminist's idea that change can come from legislation
- Radical are critical but have had an impact- domestic violence research has opened women's shelters.
- Functionalists
- Comte and Durkheim believe sociology must be scientific and discover social problems and provide solutions.
- Social policies maintain solidarity that society is based on- educational polices have provided equal opportunities.
- The advocate a cautious approach by tackling one problem at a time. Marxists criticise this as many problems are linked to wider structural problems.
- NR
- State should have a minimal role in people's lives- should only intervene in family, ed, health and crime.
- Murray- welfare state is too generous and has created a dependency culture and the rise of the underclass
- They are criticalof polcies but dont oppose them- they support strong law and order policy- Wilson and Kelling's broken windows.
- Postmodernists
- Bauman- Sociology has no impact in policies as doesn't present a dominant truth that can be used by governments to make polices
- Social Democratic
- Townsend- policies should re-distribute we wealth.
- Black Report- 1980- 37 recommendations to reduce deep-rooted equality: Free school meals, better disability benefits and improved working conditions. Conservative Government refused to implement as they were too costly
- Giddens: 4 benefits of sociology:
Comments
No comments have yet been made