The role of sociology in policymaking

Abstract

Everyone acknowledges that economics serves a fundamental role in policymaking. On the contrary, for some, the fact that sociology is likewise crucial to public policy is not automatically understood, even among academics and practitioners. To the evident question of how can policy science be applied without economic resources, I propose a counter question: how can policy be implemented in the absence of human resources? In other words, how can policy be implemented without placing the human being at its core? The human being is the purpose and the instrument of public policy. This sheds light on the necessity of sociology in policymaking. I dare say that sociological science, where policy is concerned, is as imperative as economics. [excerpt]