Today’s sociologists tend to be a lot less ambitious than the founding fathers. Many feel that sociology can make important contributions to social policy. However, they tend to see these contributions as limited to specific areas such as family, policy or education policy. There are unlikely to see sociological ideas as reforming society as a whole. As Durkheim hoped, or bringing about revolutionary change as Marx anticipated. This lack of involvement began from the 1970’s onwards when Thatcher came to power, since then sociology has taken a back seat in social policies.
However, since 1997 although, Blair seems to be going down the ‘sociological road’ in many ways although sociological research still seems to be confined to areas such as family and education such as introducing the Education Maintenance Allowance which was introduced to persuade children to stay in higher education. This suggests that sociological arguments and findings have little influence on social problems of governments.
Much sociological research funded by some government bodies, as a result the government can rule out recommendations if they do not agree with findings. For example, where the government restricted the publication of the Black Report over the Bank Holiday Weekend of 1980 by the Thatcher Government signalled the end of the hopes of improvement in public health for twenty years. It was clear that the Government would have preferred to suppress the whole thing, and it is greatly to the authors’ credit that this did not happen. However you do not need to read very much to see why the Government wanted to. This suggests that sociological arguments and research findings have little influence on social problems of governments.
According to Giddens, there are four practical benefits of studying sociology. Firstly, he believed it allows us to understand the world around us, giving us knowledge and insights. This understanding can be factual and provide us with ‘facts’ which allow us to develop a theory. It can also be theoretical as it provides people with an explanation as to why something is happening. Secondly Giddens believed sociology can also help people to see other’s viewpoint. Lack of awareness of the activities and beliefs of other groups can lead to prejudice. The information that sociology gives us allows us to respond to others views. For example, tackling discrimination in the area of disability. Thirdly, once politicians recognise a social problem exists, they can develop policies to combat it. Sociology can also be effective in judging how effective these policies are. For example, government funding projects, when a government funds a new project they require evidence from the people running the programme that it is providing benefits. Sociology is the key subject in providing this type of research. Fourth and finally, Giddens believed sociology allows people to reflect upon their own experiences of life and in doing so ‘liberates’ them. Self-knowledge allows people to challenge images of themselves and initiates policies that are more sympathetic to them. Certain group such as those with disabilities, ethnic minorities and gay movements have greatly benefited from this Sociological research has allowed them to see the extent of discrimination and show the results to the government to demand action. This suggests that sociological arguments and research findings do have influence on social problems of governments.
The influence of sociology on government can be seen most clearly in Tony Blair’s new Labour Government. When they came into power in 1997 they offered a ‘third way’ of politics which had new directions and solutions to problems. Much of this was influenced by Anthony Giddens who was described as Blair’s favourite guru.
Gidden’s and ‘The Third Way’ and ‘The Renewal of Social Democracy’ in 1998 stressed the importance of social solidarity and social cohesion. It included that strong society needs active citizens concerned about society; Government should encourage people to have a sense of civic duty. Giddens believed social exclusion is the main threat to social order and society will fracture if groups become excluded from mainstream. He believed Government can help exclusion, for example, with the poor they can raise benefits or improve healthcare and education. This suggests that sociological arguments and research findings do have influence on social problems of governments. The fact that Giddens has been described as Blair’s favourite ‘Guru’ backs this argument up.
In conclusion, there are many arguments for and against the view that sociological arguments and research findings generally have little influence on the social problems of governments, but it is evident that since Blair’s New Labour Government, there has been more interaction with sociologists to improve human conditions and to resolve old policies that aren’t as effective in modern society. It could be asked that maybe sociology has been revitalised in terms of their influence over the government.
