Theory and Methods: Social Policy

 Social Policy

Modern Day Positivists: Collect data and do research for the government. They believe that they are being objective, however they are not. The government give them a remit to work to and it can be swayed by the government. For example, EMA and the 'Black Report'. Modern day positivists aren't the only people who do research for the government, sociologists do too.

The level of influence a sociologist has on the government:

1. Electoral popularity: Will the research help the party gain popularity?
2. Ideology of the government: Is the research complimentary of the party beliefs?
3. Interest groups: Do the media like the policy?
4. Funding sources: Will the businesses that fund the party approve the policy?
5. Critical sociology: Does the sociologist have a history for being critical of the party?
6. Cost: Will the party be able to afford to implement the policy?
7. Globalisation: Will the European Union allow the policy to pass?

Theoretical Perspectives

New Right: Argue that there should be less state intervention, people should have the freedom of choice. The system is Capitalism and people should be left alone. Any policy that supports the traditional values they support (such as maternity leave), and they do not like any other social policy. They believe that social policy has led to a moral decline in society and no discipline within society.

Melanie Phillips: Has suggested that family life is in decline. She argues that there has been a 'flight from parenting' as parents are becoming less willing to accept the demands and responsibilities of being a parent.

Charles Murray: Argues that the underclass are the 'idle thieving bastards of society' as they take money from the state and do not pay their way in society.

Liberal Feminism: See social policy as one of the barriers to equality. But believe that there is progression towards equality through social policy (Contraceptive Pill - 1961).

Eileen Drew: Argues that around the world there are two types of government:

1. Familiaristic Regimes: Countries who support the ideology of familism.
2. Individualistic Regimes: Countries that treat men and women equally.

Radical Feminism: Argue that the state is patriarchal. They acknowledge that progression has occurred in the face of domestic violence (Marital Rape - 1991), but they argue that this is not enough. They think that women should take political action.

Adrienne Rich: Argues that men push women into 'compulsory heterosexuality' which she believes is narrow and unsatisfying to women but beneficial to men as it fulfils their desires.

Shulamith Firestone: Agrees with these ides and believe that patriarchy and inequality stems from childbirth as a woman has to depend on a man. She argues that money should be invested into reproductive technology so babies can be created in a laboratory and there will be no need for men.

Laura Purdy: Argues that women should go on a baby strike and stop having children until all their demands are met.

Functionalism: Durkheim believed that social policy could fix societies problems through the moving equilibrium and structural differentiation.

Marxism: Argue that the state is part of the superstructure and they keep people happy through providing jobs and benefits. During economic recession the Bourgeoisie will take from people first rather than losing themselves. The Minimum Age Act persuades people that they are getting a fair deal.

Social Democratic Movement: Believe in the redistribution of wealth, from the rich to the poor through taxes and benefits. Everyone should have equal chances to succeed (Butler Act - 1944).

Dual-Systems Feminism: Argue that the Bourgeoisie wants profits and patriarchy but value profits above patriarchy (Equal Pay Act - 1975).

Late-Modernism: Donzelot argues that the family is under the threat of surveillance so they police themselves (Children's Act).

Cross Cultural Examples:

• China's one child policy: Due to overpopulation, citizens must apply to have a child, benefits are received for the first child but if a second is born then the parents must pay back the benefits they received for the first and then a fine. This has resulted in the majority of the population being male as they are deemed more valuable.
• Nazi Germany: The Aryan Race promoted the nuclear family and sterilised the disabled.
• Soviet Union: Attempted to abolish the nuclear family (easy access divorce), but this was abandoned during the war to help repopulation.