Reflections on the Relation Between Sociology and Social Policy

Abstract

The study of social policy is sometimes separated from the study of sociology on grounds of convenience. The two disciplines can be differentiated on intellectual grounds if a distinction is drawn between practical knowledge and theoretical knowledge. The study of social policy centres upon the development and application of practical knowledge, in which ordinary language is employed. The study of sociology centres upon the pursuit of theoretical knowledge, and this requires the development of a technical language.

Winch’s Idea at sixty-five: Its point and implications for the prospects of sociology

“…A common piece of sociological reasoning (that is occasionally used in theoretical paper openings) reiterates this ideology in inferring from the fact that no sociological work has taken up a topic to the conclusion that the topic is poorly understood in general and that no systematic exploration is required of the understanding that is available (see Tsilipakos, 2016, 2017), for example, available understanding of emotion concepts before problems in the sociology of the emotions are formulated (Bericat, 2016). This neglect of endogenous sources of understanding and their presumptive replacement by sociological technical concepts (Banton, 2016) or their cavalier treatment in taking various interpretative liberties under the influence of doctrines of radical indeterminacy of meaning (see Tsilipakos, 2020; sometimes also coupled with postmodernist or post-structuralist programmes) is the reason why sociologists may have trouble in cementing a claim to autonomy in front of the public. People see sociological claims as requiring them to ‘abdicate their powers of reasoning’ (Berlin, 2012[1998]) and experience this as a form of unwarranted pretension on sociology’s part.…”

Activating the Welfare Subject: The Problem of Agency

“…A recent article in this journal (Banton, 2016) argued persuasively that sociology and social policy should be viewed as distinct disciplines, addressing different kinds of problem and seeking different kinds of knowledge. The key to these differences lies in Banton's distinction between theoretical and practical knowledge, and while accepting the validity of his position, there is a sense in which radical change, such as the recent UK welfare reform, can profitably bring the two disciplines into closer dialogue.…”

Bringing it ‘Home’? Sociological Practice and the Practice of Sociology

“…After 50 years at the centre of the discipline, it is within this highly active and somewhat controversial set of debates that we locate this anniversary special issue of Sociology , with contributors discussing inter-disciplinary connections between sociology and criminology (Carrabine, 2016), environmental science (Hamilton et al, 2016), creative industry studies (McRobbie, 2016), social and cultural theory (Burowoy, 2016; Bhambra, 2016; Holmwood, 2016; Lamont, 2016), social policy (Banton, 2016), methodologies (Frade, 2016; Twine, 2016), cultural studies (Back, 2016; Burton, 2016; Goodwin, 2016), human geography (Tolia-Kelly, 2016) and the study of work and employment (Glucksmann, 2016) – all as sites of sociological practice. Our collection encourages the view that sociologists should not demur from questioning ‘what knowledge is produced under these conditions and what type of sociologist is produced in such circumstances’ (Halford and Strangleman, 2009: 818).…”