C. Lacey’s utopia

… This concern has remained a central underlying purpose. It predates my interest in sociology as such and it provides a support for my continuing interest. In fact, I feel sure that my interest in sociology depends on my seeing it as a tool, as a means of progressing towards a realisation of this purpose. If I felt that sociology was not ‘useful’ in this way, I probably turn to politics or journalism, or something. If this perspective – sociology as a ‘means’ rather than an ‘end’ – implies that my involvement is peripheral, a dilettante interest, I must challenge the assumption. I see sociology as a vital analytical tool in the construction of our society. As such, I am centrally interested in all aspects of its development, its theory, methodology and technology, its legitimation and status, not just in the eyes of an elite group of academics, but also the wider society. I see sociology developing to provide a basic ingredient in a genrrally available education in a self-understanding society.

(Educational Research – current issues, v.1, p.115)